Xi Purges China’s Military Generals

_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

Last weekend, China announced that its two most senior generals, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, were removed from office and placed under investigation for serious disciplinary violations. Chinese state media accused them of undermining President Xi Jinping's authority and accepting bribes. The Wall Street Journal reported that Zhang was selling nuclear secrets to the United States.

But the story took a dramatic turn when unverified reports circulated online claiming a violent coup attempt. According to these accounts, Zhang sent troops to arrest Xi at a government hotel on January 18, but the president was alerted beforehand, and his security forces killed dozens of the plotters in a firefight. Beijing has not addressed these specific claims.