Xi Seeks ‘Total Control’ of Military With Purge, Perdue Says

The top US diplomat in China said Chinese President Xi Jinping’s purge of his most senior general is driven by his effort to both secure “total control” of his military and root out corruption.

Ambassador David Perdue told Bloomberg Television the probe into Zhang Youxia announced over the weekend is a “major development,” citing the family connections the vice chair of China’s apex military commission has with Xi. Chinese authorities said Zhang was being investigated for suspected serious discipline and law violations, without disclosing further details.