China probes deputy military chief and general

China on Saturday said that the vice-chairman of its powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) and another high-ranking official have been placed under investigation over suspected "serious violations of discipline and law", a common euphemism for corruption.



The investigation was pointed to Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli," the defence ministry said in a statement.



Zhang, is one of Chinese President Xi Jinping's longest-serving allies in the armed forces.



A career army officer and war veteran, Zhang oversees military operations, training and weapons procurement within the People's Liberation Army (PLA).



His ties with Xi reportedly run deep, with their fathers being revolutionary comrades.



Liu, is a member of the CMC, and its Joint Staff Department chief, responsible for overseeing the PLA’s joint operations, training and combat readiness.



Zhang and Liu were last seen in public on Dec 22, when they attended a CMC ceremony conferring the rank of general on two senior officers.