Xi Jinping’s Most Trusted Ally Accused of Leaking Nuclear Secrets to US, Taking Bribes: Report

Things are getting shaky at the top in China, it looks like one of President Xi Jinping's go-to guys in the military is now being looked into. General Zhang Youxia, who's been a a long-time ally of Xi' and a big shot in the military, is in trouble. The Wall Street Journal says he might have leaked secrets about China's nuclear weapons to the U.S.

This investigation into Zhang makes the Central Military Commission (CMC), which controls the army, look unstable. only two of the seven seats are filled right now due to some people getting booted out or investigated. This makes the commission the weakest it's been since Xi took charge of the army.

The official word is that Zhang, 75, and another officer, Liu Zhenli, 61, are suspected of serious discipline and law violations. In China, that usually means corruption or abusing power, but they don't give out many details. Both guys have important spots in the CMC, which runs the military.

The Wall Street Journal also said Zhang is accused of taking bribes and helping pick a former defence minister.

Sources who were at a private briefing with high-ranking military people told the Wall Street Journal that Zhang is accused of some serious things. Apparently, he's suspected of giving secret info about China's nuclear weapons to the US and taking a lot of cash to help officers get promoted in the military's important purchasing department. They also claimed he created groups within the military to get more power for himself. These accusations are similar to other cases where people were removed, which experts think is about political loyalty and controlling power, not just corruption.

Zhang Youxia has been seen as a super important general who came up with Xi Jinping and had a lot of say in the armed forces. He's the highest-ranking military official to be targeted in this crackdown so far.

This investigation is part of a bigger effort to look into corruption and loyalty within the military. For Xi Jinping, Zhang's downfall gets rid of one of the last powerful people from his generation who still had a lot of influence on the army.

All in all, this seems like another big move by Xi to change the military leadership, strengthen his control, and continue this purge that's left the country's defence leadership pretty empty at the top.