China’s top military general is under investigation for suspected misconduct, according to the country’s Defence Ministry. The ministry said on Saturday that Zhang Youxia, the senior vice chair of the Central Military Commission (CMC), is being investigated for “serious violations of discipline and law.”

Zhang Youxia is one of the most powerful figures in the Chinese military. As the senior of the two vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, he holds a key position in the country’s top military body. The Defence Ministry confirmed that the investigation is part of a wider process but did not provide any details about the alleged wrongdoing.

Another senior military official, Liu Zhenli, has also been placed under investigation by the Communist Party. Liu Zhenli is the chief of staff of the commission’s Joint Staff Department and a member of the Central Military Commission. The Defence Ministry stated that he is also being investigated, but again, no further information was shared about the accusations.

Analysts believe that these investigations are linked to China’s long-running military purge. They say the purges aim to reform the armed forces and ensure loyalty to President Xi Jinping, who also chairs the Central Military Commission. These actions are part of a broader anti-corruption campaign that has punished more than 200,000 officials since Xi came to power in 2012.

Zhang Youxia, who is 75 years old, joined the People’s Liberation Army in 1968 and comes from the ground forces. His long military career has made him one of the most experienced leaders in the Chinese armed forces.

Last October, the Communist Party expelled the other vice chair of the Central Military Commission, He Weidong. He was later replaced by commission member Zhang Shengmin.

The Defence Ministry’s statement did not explain the nature of the allegations and did not share any additional details about the investigations.