OREANDA-NEWS  The arrest of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in the Central Military Council of China (CMC), Zhang Youxia, demonstrates the Chinese leader's expressed desire to gain full control over the country's armed forces. This explanation was given by the US Ambassador to China, David Perdue, in an interview with Bloomberg.

According to the diplomat, the criminal prosecution of a high-ranking officer is an "important event." He pointed to General Zhang's family ties with Xi Jinping.

"I really believe that President Xi Jinping is trying to do this (to fix decades of corruption in the military — approx. <url>). On the other hand, I think he wants to make sure that he has full control of his armed forces," Perdue said, adding that the United States is closely monitoring what is happening.

Earlier, Zhang Youxia was accused of transferring technical data on the country's nuclear weapons program to the United States. The general is currently under investigation on charges of abuse of power. In particular, we are talking about receiving large amounts of money in exchange for a promotion in the body that oversees research, development and procurement of military equipment.

For many years, the official was considered Xi Jinping's confidant and his right-hand man.