The Wall Street Journal reported that a senior Chinese general is under investigation for providing the United States with information on China’s nuclear program.
Sources noted the 75-year-old Zhang Youxia is accused not only of sharing sensitive information but also of accepting bribes in his official capacity.
China’s Ministry of Defense confirmed only that Zhang violated the law and is under investigation.
Youxia serves as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, the country’s top military authority, under President Xi Jinping, and has long been recognized as one of Xi’s close military allies.
Zhang has not appeared in public since November 20, when he met with Russia’s defense minister in Moscow. In China, extended absences of senior officials from public events often suggest either removal from office or that they are under investigation.
President Xi considers corruption the greatest threat to the Communist Party. In October, he expelled nine senior generals from the party over corruption charges.
Zhang is also accused of attempting to consolidate influence within party circles.
Meanwhile, two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that former U.S. Navy officer Patrick V. was sentenced to 20 months in prison for selling U.S. defense information to China.
