English: China’s military leadership is facing a crisis after the removal of two top generals, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. Zhang, 75, was vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the powerful Communist Party body that controls the armed forces.
The CMC, usually made up of seven members, now has only Xi Jinping and Gen Zhang Shengmin left. Analysts say this is unprecedented and leaves the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) with a major leadership void.
Rumors about the purge range from corruption to leaking nuclear secrets, plotting a coup, and even reports of a gunfight in Beijing. Officially, Zhang and Liu are accused of “serious violations of discipline and law,” a phrase often used to mean corruption.Experts say the purge shows Xi’s dominance but also highlights the lack of reliable information in Beijing, which fuels speculation. The PLA Daily emphasized the Communist Party’s “zero tolerance” for corruption, no matter how high the position.
中文： 中國軍方領導層正面臨危機，因為兩位高階將領 張又俠 和 劉振立 被撤職。75 歲的張又俠是 中央軍委 副主席，這是掌控軍隊的強大中共機構。
通常由七人組成的中央軍委，如今只剩下 習近平 和 張勝民。分析人士指出，這是前所未有的情況，使 解放軍 出現重大領導真空。
關於這次清洗的傳言包括貪腐、洩漏核機密、策劃政變，甚至有北京槍戰的說法。官方則指控張、劉「嚴重違紀違法」，這通常是「貪腐」的委婉說法。
專家認為，這次清洗顯示習近平的主導地位，但也凸顯北京資訊不足，助長了各種猜測。《解放軍報》強調中共對貪腐「零容忍」，不論職位多高。
📚 Vocabulary | 單字
- purge = removal of officials → 清洗 / 撤職
- void = empty space, lack of leadership → 真空 / 缺口
- discipline and law = rules and legal standards → 紀律與法律
- rumor = unverified information → 傳言
- coup = attempt to overthrow a government → 政變
- zero tolerance = strict punishment without exceptions → 零容忍
🗣️ Useful Expressions | 常用表達
- “The PLA is in disarray.” → 解放軍陷入混亂。
- “There is a major leadership void.” → 出現重大領導真空。
- “Serious violations of discipline and law.” → 嚴重違紀違法。
- “Rumors are fueling speculation.” → 傳言助長了猜測。
📝 Practice Questions | 練習問題
- Who were the two generals removed from the PLA? 哪兩位將領被撤職？
- How many members are left in the CMC? 中央軍委現在剩幾位成員？
- What official reason was given for the purge? 官方給出的撤職理由是什麼？
- What kinds of rumors are circulating? 有哪些傳言在流傳？
- What does the PLA Daily say about corruption? 《解放軍報》對貪腐有何表態？
