China Investigates Top Military Official as Xi Jinping Expands Anti-Corruption Purge
China’s leader Xi Jinping has intensified his sweeping crackdown on corruption within the military, targeting Admiral Miao Hua, a high-ranking member of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the country’s most powerful military body. The investigation into Miao marks the latest in a series of purges aimed at strengthening the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and consolidating Xi’s control over the armed forces.
Admiral Miao Hua Under Investigation
Admiral Miao Hua, who heads the Political Work Department of the CMC, is under investigation for “serious violations of discipline,” a term commonly used in China to denote corruption. Miao, 69, has been a close ally of Xi Jinping, with ties dating back to the 1990s when both worked in Fujian province.
The announcement comes shortly after reports surfaced about China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun also being investigated for corruption. However, the Chinese Defense Ministry dismissed those claims as “sheer fabrication,” calling them an attack on China’s reputation.
Broader Purge of the PLA
Since last year, Xi has intensified efforts to cleanse the PLA of corruption, particularly within the Rocket Force, an elite branch overseeing China’s nuclear and missile capabilities. This campaign has led to the downfall of several top military officials, including former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe.
Both Li and Wei were expelled from the Communist Party in June over corruption allegations, and their dismissals were part of a broader shake-up in the military’s leadership. The ongoing purges have also implicated over a dozen military officers and aerospace executives linked to China’s defense and military-industrial sectors.
Xi’s Vision for the PLA
The crackdown on corruption aligns with Xi Jinping’s broader goal of transforming the PLA into a “world-class” fighting force. As part of this vision, China has heavily invested in modernizing its military, upgrading equipment, and adopting a more assertive stance in regional disputes.
However, experts suggest that corruption remains deeply entrenched in the PLA, posing a significant challenge to Xi’s ambitions. Lyle Morris, a foreign policy and national security fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, noted that corruption is systemic in the PLA and will likely persist despite Xi’s efforts.
Implications of the Purge
The investigation into Miao Hua underscores the growing turbulence within the upper ranks of China’s military. With Xi seeking greater loyalty and combat readiness, these purges highlight the challenges of managing an institution plagued by corruption.
As Xi continues his campaign to root out disloyalty and strengthen the PLA, these moves may signal broader efforts to tighten control over all aspects of China’s governance, both domestically and internationally. However, questions remain about the long-term effectiveness of these measures in addressing the underlying issues within the PLA.
This anti-corruption drive not only reshapes China’s military landscape but also sends a clear message to the world about Xi Jinping’s determination to assert control over the country’s most influential institutions.
Reference from:-https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/28/china/china-military-general-investigation-intl-hnk/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc