China expelled two high-ranking military officers, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from the ruling Communist Party on Monday, state media reported, months after it was announced they were being investigated for “serious violations of the law.”

Youxia held the position of the more senior of two vice chairmen on the Central Military Commission, making him China’s highest-ranked general.

However, the defence ministry said in January that Youxia and the second officer, Zhenli, were “suspected of serious violations of discipline and the law,” a common euphemism for corruption.

The announcement fit into the sweeping anti-graft drive that has defined President Xi Jinping’s time in power — but Youxia’s fall from grace in particular shocked observers, given his seniority and the perception he was close to China’s leader.

State news agency Xinhua shared details of their cases for the first time, saying they involved “exceptionally large sums of money.”

Top officials meeting in Beijing on Monday “decided to expel” the two men from the Communist Party and transfer their cases to the military’s legal organs “for review and prosecution,” Xinhua said.

The two men also “used their positions to help others in matters such as job promotion,” Xinhua reported, citing the investigation.

Their expulsion is subject to ratification at a plenary session of the party’s Central Committee.

Monday’s decision “reaffirms the firm position that… there is absolutely no place for corrupt elements to hide within the military,” Xinhua said.

Last month, Youxia and Zhenli were stripped of their positions in the state CMC.

AFP