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,

China considers Taiwan its own territory and has threatened to take control of the island by force if necessary. China also has increased military pressure and, last month, launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan for two days after the U.S. government announced a major arms sales to Taiwan.

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

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.

(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,

A high-ranking Chinese general, Zhang Youxia, is suspected of passing key information about China's nuclear weapons to the United States. Itwas reported by The

China probes top general Zhang Youxia over nuclear leaks and bribery, heightening security fears and offering Trump leverage in US–China talks.

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

Taiwanese authorities said they were monitoring “abnormal” changes at the top of China’s military after the stunning dismissal of the country’s leading general.