This is a reminder coming directly from President Xi Jinping, that political loyalty stands well before combat readiness,” one analyst told NBC News.

A combat veteran, Zhang Youxia was once seen as the most trusted man in Xi Jinping’s military. Now he has been accused of disloyalty to Mr. Xi.

China's top general Zhang Youxia was placed under investigation for “suspected serious violations of discipline and law,” according to a major announcement over the weekend.

President Xi Jinping’s move to probe his top general and one-time ally Zhang Youxia is the most stunning development yet in China’s biggest military purge in roughly half a century. It also has implications for Taiwan,