China's state media announced on Monday an anti-corruption probe into top general Zhang Youxia and other senior officials, stating the investigation will "remove roadblocks" and strengthen the country's military. The announcement occurred within the reporting window from 1:15 PM to 4:15 PM UTC on February 2, 2026. The probe targets Zhang Youxia, a high-ranking People's Liberation Army general, as part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts, according to an AFP report cited by analysts on X. State media specified the action aims to bolster military capabilities by eliminating internal obstacles. The Pentagon reported that Chinese aircraft carriers will soon outnumber American ones in the Pacific, marking a shift after over 80 years of U.S. naval dominance in the region, according to The Economist citing an Economist article shared on X during the same three-hour window. No direct connection exists between the probe announcement and the carrier projection in the sources.
