One of China’s top military officials, Gen. Zhang Youxia, is under investigation for leaking information regarding China’s nuclear weapons program to the United States, according to a Wall Street Journal report published on Sunday.
The allegations against Zhang were revealed during a briefing attended by some of China’s highest-ranking military officials, WSJ reported, citing individuals familiar with the contents of the briefing.
The briefing reportedly occurred on Saturday, shortly before China’s Ministry of National Defense publicly announced the investigation into Zhang, who was once one of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s most trusted military officials.
Zhang is under investigation for forming political cliques, a charge described by WSJ as “efforts to build networks of influence that undermine party unity,” abusing his power within the Central Military Commission, the Chinese Communist Party’s military decision-making body, and taking bribes.
The investigation into Zhang’s time overseeing the CMC’s research, development, and procurement of military materials will also include probing allegations that he accepted cash bribes in exchange for high-level promotions, the report alleged.
CCP probing nuclear sector link
WSJ’s sources claimed that the “most shocking” accusation launched at Zhang was that he leaked important technical data regarding Chinese nuclear weapons to the US.
The leak allegations were reportedly supported by the former general manager of China National Nuclear Corporation, Gu Jun, who oversaw the state-owned company in charge of both civilian and military nuclear programs.
Gu is reportedly also currently under investigation for “severe violations of party discipline and state laws.” The probe into Gu’s allegations linked Zhang to the nuclear sector security breach, WSJ’s sources said.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesman at the Chinese embassy in Washington, told WSJ that the CCP’s investigation into Zhang is part of an attempt by Chinese leadership to present “a full-coverage, zero-tolerance approach to combating corruption.”
The People’s Liberation Army Daily, China’s military newspaper, additionally decried Zhang as having “severely trampled on and undermined” the basis of Xi’s authority and control over the CCP.