China’s Top General Accused of Leaking Nuclear Secrets to U.S.

According to The Wall Street Journal’s exclusive reporting, Gen. Zhang Youxia, 75, is accused of leaking core technical information about China’s nuclear weapons program to the United States. The claims were disclosed during a high-level internal briefing attended by senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers on Saturday.

The same briefing alleged that Zhang accepted large bribes in exchange for official promotions, including facilitating the rise of an officer to the position of defense minister. Authorities are also investigating his role in overseeing China’s powerful military procurement system, which manages research, development and acquisition of defense hardware.

Political Cliques and Abuse of Authority

Sources familiar with the briefing said Zhang is also accused of forming political cliques—a term used by the Communist Party to describe networks that undermine party unity—and abusing his authority within the Central Military Commission (CMC), the PLA’s top decision-making body.

China’s Defense Ministry publicly acknowledged the investigation but provided few details, stating only that Zhang is being probed for serious disciplinary and legal violations.

Nuclear Sector Link and Gu Jun Probe

The briefing reportedly linked Zhang’s case to an ongoing investigation into Gu Jun, the former general manager of China National Nuclear Corp., which oversees both civilian and military nuclear programs. Authorities announced last week that Gu is under investigation for similar violations.

According to people familiar with the matter, evidence from Gu’s case helped expose a security breach within China’s nuclear sector, allegedly implicating Zhang. Specific details of the breach were not disclosed during the briefing.

Fall of a Xi Ally

Zhang, a member of the Communist Party’s elite Politburo, is a so-called “princeling”, the son of a revolutionary leader. His father fought alongside Xi Jinping’s father during the Chinese civil war, forging a personal bond that long elevated Zhang within the military hierarchy.

Analysts say his downfall represents the most aggressive dismantling of China’s military leadership since the Mao Zedong era. Christopher Johnson, head of China Strategies Group, described the move as “unprecedented,” saying it amounted to the “total annihilation of the high command.”

Broader Military Purge Expands

The investigation into Zhang coincided with the announcement of a probe into Gen. Liu Zhenli, chief of the PLA’s Joint Staff Department. Authorities have reportedly seized mobile devices from officers linked to both men, as thousands more with past ties face scrutiny.

Since mid-2023, more than 50 senior military officers and defense industry executives have been removed or placed under investigation across China’s army, navy, air force and missile forces.

Implications for Military Readiness and Taiwan

Analysts warn the purge could weaken short-term combat readiness, even as it consolidates Xi’s control over the military. According to The Wall Street Journal, internal party discussions portray corruption, patronage networks and the compromise of state secrets as existential threats to Beijing’s long-term goal of asserting control over Taiwan.

Some experts argue that the hollowing out of senior command ranks could reduce the immediate risk of a cross-strait invasion, as Beijing shifts toward a more cautious strategy while preparing for high-stakes negotiations with Washington.

Power Consolidation, Not Weakness

Despite the upheaval, analysts say Xi’s decision to purge even a trusted ally underscores confidence, not vulnerability. “It’s not a sign of weakness, but of strength,” said Lyle Morris of the Asia Society Policy Institute, noting that the Communist Party is reinforcing Xi’s ultimate authority over the armed forces.

As The Wall Street Journal reports, the scale of the investigation suggests China’s leadership is willing to absorb near-term military disruption in pursuit of tighter political control and long-term strategic objectives.