General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, faces allegations of corruption, abuse of authority, and leaking sensitive nuclear weapons data to the U.S., as part of Xi Jinping’s ongoing PLA anti-corruption campaign.

A stinging editorial published by the People’s Liberation Army Daily on Sunday (Jan 25) against Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli used wording that goes beyond how previous senior military purges have been framed,

Zhang Youxia had been seen as a close ally of the leader, Xi Jinping.

The extraordinary charge marks a milestone in China’s ongoing purge of allegedly corrupt military officials, which has expanded in scope and depth over the past three years.

This is a reminder coming directly from President Xi Jinping, that political loyalty stands well before combat readiness,” one analyst told NBC News.

China said on Saturday (Jan 24) that Zhang Youxia, top-ranked vice-chair of the Central Military Commission, is under investigation alongside fellow member Liu Zhenli. Analysts say it underscores how no one is immune in President Xi Jinping’s remaking of the military.

Zhongnanhai, the Communist Party's political center, remains a black box after the ousting of China's most senior general.

(Corrects Jan 24 story to remove incorrect reference to Zhang's Moscow visit in November as last public appearance in paragraph 7, adds December appearance) Jan 24 (Reuters) - China's most senior general is under investigation,