Since Xi Jinping became General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2012, he has implemented an anti-corruption agenda. The Central Commission on Discipline Inspection (CCDI) has been institutionalized with a National Supervisory Commission (NSC) and 47 permanent branches. The CCDI has shifted its focus from targeting high-level officials to lower-level cadres. Investigations now include both cadre performance and corruption. The CCDI aims to decouple government and business ties [81e17734].
In a continued effort to combat corruption, the Chinese government has stripped three senior aerospace-defense executives of their titles as members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The executives, Wu Yansheng, Liu Shiquan, and Wang Changqing, represent key entities in China's aerospace and defense field, including China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco Group), and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) [4e317f15].
Recently, Tan Ruisong, the former chairman of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has come under investigation for severe violations of law and party discipline. Tan, who led AVIC from 2018 until his removal in March 2023 due to age reasons, oversaw a major defense contractor with over 100 subsidiaries and 450,000 employees, known for manufacturing advanced fighter aircraft such as the J-10, J-11, and J-20. This investigation is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign targeting military sectors, following the expulsion of previous defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe for corruption. In response to these issues, AVIC pledged to tighten its procurement rules in July 2024 [0f3bdbde].
The corruption scandal in China's military and security apparatus has raised concerns about the stability of Beijing's security infrastructure and its military-to-military communication with the United States. The ongoing reshuffling and arrests have sparked worries about China's military readiness, particularly in the context of a potential conflict over Taiwan. President Xi has set a deadline for his military to be prepared for such a conflict by 2027, underscoring the importance of loyalty and combat readiness within the People's Liberation Army (PLA) [2ecdeec9].
China has named former Navy chief Dong Jun as its new defense minister, replacing the previous minister who disappeared from public view four months ago. Dong's appointment comes as President Xi Jinping aims to make China a dominant world power. Dong's role will involve engaging with the United States military to lower the risk of conflict over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Dong has experience in both areas, having served as vice commander of the Eastern Theater Command and the Southern Theatre Command. The selection of Dong could indicate ongoing purges in the Rocket Force and Equipment Development Department. Nine senior military officials have been removed from China's top legislative body, including former PLA Rocket Force chief Li Yuchao and his predecessor Zhou Yaning. Dong replaces Li Shangfu, who had headed the department in charge of equipment procurement and research before disappearing from public view. Li is under investigation for corruption related to equipment procurement and development. Dong is not known to be under U.S. sanctions and would not face the same constraints as his predecessor in engaging with the U.S. military. President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping have agreed to resume senior military talks that were suspended following Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022 [ce4ee82f].
US intelligence indicates that President Xi Jinping's military purge was prompted by widespread corruption and flaws in China's missiles, which undermined efforts to modernize the armed forces and raised concerns about China's ability to engage in war. The corruption within China's Rocket Force and defense industrial base is extensive, leading US officials to believe that Xi is less likely to pursue major military action in the near future. The assessment is based on US intelligence sources [19c9baaf].
The rocket force of the Chinese military, considered their 'crown jewel,' is facing a serious corruption problem. The force experienced shocking dismissals last year, with force leadership being replaced by leaders from other branches of the PLA. This suggests a lack of trust within the force and potentially significant problems. However, experts caution against dismissing China's offensive capabilities based solely on these reports. It is unclear how long these issues have been known and whether they have been corrected. The corruption problem could be an opportunity for President Xi to clean house and make the PLA a more effective force [df983660].
The Chinese military, known as the People's Liberation Army (PLA), has experienced a series of purges and replacements of top military personnel due to graft and corruption cases. These purges have coincided with increased military activities in the disputed South China Sea. Chinese President Xi Jinping launched an anti-corruption campaign in 2013, resulting in the prosecution of numerous senior-level military officials. The recent purges have focused on the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), which oversees China's nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Corruption in the PLA hinders its warfare capabilities and drains resources. China's military ambitions in the South China Sea continue to grow, with increased naval incursions and harassment of neighboring countries. The recent shake-up in the Chinese military poses a challenge to Xi's leadership and undermines the military's modernization goals. If these challenges persist, it could lead to escalating tensions in the South China Sea and impact the capabilities of the world's largest army. [069b54f3]