Xi Jinping's ally leaked China's nuclear secrets to US — WSJ
Photo: Major scandal erupts within China's military leadership (Getty Images)
A major scandal has erupted within China's military leadership, involving alleged leaks of classified nuclear information and large-scale corruption at the highest levels of the armed forces, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Nuclear leaks and corruption at China's military top
The vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission and a close ally of President Xi Jinping, General Zhang Youxia, is accused of passing confidential information about China's nuclear program to the US.
Besides suspected treason, the general is also accused of corruption and selling senior positions, including allegedly taking bribes for promotions and trading influence over the defense minister post.
Investigation into Xi Jinping's close ally
Earlier, China's Ministry of Defense officially confirmed the launch of investigations into Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.
The ministry did not disclose details, limiting its statement to "serious violations of discipline and the law"—a standard phrase in China that typically refers to corruption offenses.
According to The Wall Street Journal, a closed-door briefing for China's top military leadership took place several hours before the investigations were publicly announced.
Sources told the newspaper that the most serious allegations were raised against Zhang Youxia, including abuse of power, receiving large sums of money in exchange for personnel decisions, and transferring key technical data on China's nuclear arsenal to the US.
Zhang Youxia was considered one of the most powerful figures in China's military and a member of Xi Jinping's inner circle.
The Central Military Commission, of which he is a member, oversees the military's strategic development, including research, development, and procurement of advanced weapons systems.
China expands nuclear arsenal
Earlier, US officials reported that China is rapidly expanding its nuclear capabilities. According to the Pentagon, Beijing has likely deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles in newly constructed silos near the border with Mongolia.
The department noted that these are solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles and part of a new series of silo-based missile complexes. Previously, the Pentagon had confirmed the existence of these facilities but had not disclosed the number of deployed missiles.
Against this backdrop, reports also emerged of closed-door talks between Russia and South Korea focused on North Korea's nuclear program.
The North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the country's nuclear forces to be placed on full combat readiness, saying this would ensure the most effective defense of the state.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump officially stated that the US, Russia, and China are interested in denuclearization.
