The Communist Party has expelled former military leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli over accusations of factionalism and disloyalty.

While Mr Youxia was once vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and the highest-ranking uniformed member of the Chinese military, Mr Zhenli Liu was also a CMC member and formerly served as chief of its Joint Staff Department.

The duo were among the most prominent figures brought down in the anti-corruption campaign within the People’s Liberation Army.

In a statement on Monday, the party accused them of severe violations of its discipline and serious duty-related crimes.

“Investigation found that Zhang and Liu transgressed red lines and bottom lines. They severely violated political discipline and rules by forming cliques and factions, demonstrating disloyalty and dishonesty to the party,” the statement said.

The party listed their offences as taking advantage of their positions to seek promotional benefits for others in exchange for huge amounts of money, accepting gifts and money in violation of regulations, failing to fulfil political responsibilities for full and rigorous self-governance of the party and failing to educate and restrain their relatives and close staff properly.

It added, “Their political and economic infractions were intertwined, combining corruption and enrichment with dereliction of duty, involving exceptionally large sums of money, extremely severe circumstances and highly damaging impacts.”

Aside from the expulsion, the duo also had their qualifications as delegates to the 20th party congress terminated, with their cases transferred to military procuratorial bodies for legal review and prosecution.

“There can be no place for corrupt elements to hide within the armed forces,” the statement added.