Xi Jinping intensifies military anti-corruption drive following expulsion of top defence officials

BEIJING, CHINA: Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the military to combat corruption and “unhealthy tendencies” within its ranks, state media reported on Tuesday  (5 November).

Speaking on 5 November to troops from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in Hubei province, Xi emphasised the importance of vigilance, urging the forces to “seriously investigate and address corruption and unhealthy tendencies among officers and soldiers,” as conveyed by state broadcaster CCTV.

During his visit to the headquarters of China’s airborne forces in Xiaogan (孝感市), Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected weaponry and was briefed on the unit’s operational capabilities.

He highlighted the need for constant readiness, stating that forces should “keep firmly in mind our duties and missions, increase our sense of war preparedness, and tighten preparations for military struggles.”

Since coming to power over a decade ago, Xi has led an extensive anti-corruption drive, aiming to purge misconduct within official ranks, including the military.

However, critics argue that these measures also serve to remove political rivals under the guise of reform.

Former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe expelled in June

The campaign has claimed several high-profile figures, including former Defence Minister Li Shangfu, who was dismissed last October after a seven-month tenure.

Li had been absent from public view before his removal.

An investigation revealed that Li accepted bribes and exploited his position for personal gain, severely “betraying the trust of the Party Central Committee and Central Military Commission,” according to an official report in June.

He was formally expelled from the Communist Party and transferred to military prosecutors.

Li’s predecessor, Wei Fenghe (魏凤和), who served as defence minister from 2018 until his retirement in March 2023 and previously led the PLA’s Rocket Force, similarly faced corruption charges.

Xinhua reported that Wei had “violated political and organisational discipline” and engaged in misconduct that severely harmed the military’s credibility.

Both Li and Wei had been integral to China’s strategic defence systems, with the Rocket Force managing the country’s arsenal of strategic missiles, including nuclear capabilities.

The crackdown has since extended to other Rocket Force officials, with at least three senior officers ousted in recent years.

In July, Sun Jinming (孙金明), a top official within the Rocket Force, was expelled from the Communist Party and placed under investigation for “grave violations of party discipline and laws,” a common euphemism for graft.

The focus on curbing corruption reflects Beijing’s concerns over maintaining a disciplined and loyal military force as it advances its defence capabilities.

On Monday, the Chinese navy also issued a warning to officers about online dating scams and gambling, urging troops not to lower their guard.

In a social media post directed at soldiers born in the 1990s and 2000s, it advised, “Officers and soldiers should be vigilant at all times,” shared on the navy’s official WeChat account.