Overview
Zhang Youxia is a Chinese general in the People's Liberation Army (PLA), who served as first-ranked vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) until January 2026. Born in Beijing, Zhang is the son of General Zhang Zongxun. Joining the army in 1968, Zhang fought in the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979, and the Battle of Laoshan in 1984, making him one of the few serving generals in China with war experience. In 2000, he became commander of the 13th Group Army. In 2005, he became the vice commander of the Beijing Military Region. He was promoted to commander of the Shenyang Military Region in 2007, and became a member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.