Bribery allegations have also been leveled against Gen. Zhang Youxia, whose downfall carries implications for the countryโs military readiness.
Chinaโs senior-most general is accused of leaking information about the countryโs nuclear-weapons program to the U.S. and accepting bribes for official acts, including the promotion of an officer to defense minister, said people familiar with a high-level briefing on the allegations.
The briefingโattended on Saturday morning by some of the militaryโs highest-ranking officersโcame just before Chinaโs Ministry of National Defense made the bombshell announcement ofย an investigationย into Gen.ย Zhang Youxia, once considered Chinese leaderย Xi Jinpingโs most-trusted military ally. That statement gave few details beyond a probe of severe violations of party discipline and state laws.