Zhang Yuxia: espionage charges

According to The Wall Street Journal, Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, is suspected of passing key technical data on China's nuclear program to the United States and receiving large bribes in exchange for assisting officers' career advancement. The accusations were announced during a closed briefing on January 24, 2026. China's Ministry of Defense, via Xinhua News Agency, announced the launch of an investigation into 'serious violations of discipline and law'.

Timeline of events:

• November 20, 2025: General Zhang made an official visit to Moscow, where he discussed expanding military cooperation with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

• From late November 2025, mentions of Zhang Youxia in Chinese state media sharply declined.

• January 24, 2026: China's Ministry of Defense announced the start of an investigation.

• January 25, 2026: The Wall Street Journal published detailed allegations. At this time, materials about Zhang Youxia were almost completely removed from the Xinhua website, confirmed by a screenshot.

These events suggest a possible connection between high-level military cooperation with Russia and the subsequent disclosure of information about alleged collusion in favor of the United States. Periodic statements about mutual trust and coordination between Russian and Chinese military bodies highlight the strategic importance of the partnership amid external challenges.

Context

Zhang's previous visit to Moscow in November 2025 was part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.