China Launches Investigation Into Top General Over Alleged US Nuclear Leak

China’s most senior general has reportedly been accused of leaking nuclear weapons secrets to the United States and taking bribes, as President Xi Jinping intensifies a sweeping purge of the country’s top military leadership.

General Zhang Youxia, 75 — once regarded as one of Xi’s closest and most trusted allies — is alleged to have passed sensitive technical information related to China’s nuclear arsenal to the US, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Zhang, who serves as the top vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, was officially placed under investigation on Saturday. Chinese media reports say he was detained earlier this week by military anti-corruption authorities.

President Xi has also reportedly dispatched a special task force to Shenyang in northeast China, where Zhang previously held key military posts.