The Purge of China’s Military Leadership Xi Jinping Expands Efforts to Root Out Corruption

In a significant move that underscores President Xi Jinping’s ongoing efforts to clean up the ranks of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a top military official has been placed under investigation for corruption. Admiral Miao Hua, a key member of China’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), was suspended from his post and is now under scrutiny for “serious violations of discipline,” a term commonly used to refer to corruption. Miao, 69, heads the CMC’s Political Work Department and is considered a close ally of Xi, having worked alongside him in the early years of Xi’s political career in the coastal province of Fujian.

The investigation of Miao follows a wave of purges in the PLA’s upper echelons, as Xi accelerates his campaign against corruption within the military. This is part of a broader strategy to strengthen China’s armed forces while ensuring their loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. The news of Miao’s suspension comes shortly after reports that China’s Defense Minister, Dong Jun, is also under investigation for similar charges. However, these reports were quickly dismissed by the Defense Ministry as “sheer fabrication.”

Xi’s anti-corruption drive has been particularly intense within the PLA’s Rocket Force, an elite branch responsible for China’s nuclear and conventional missile systems. Since last year, the crackdown has led to the downfall of several senior military officials, including former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, who were expelled from the party in June over allegations of corruption. This high-profile purge highlights Xi’s determination to rid the military of corrupt elements, which have long plagued the institution.

The military turmoil comes at a time when Xi is pushing to transform China’s military into a more powerful, combat-ready force. This ambition involves significant investments in upgrading military equipment and ensuring that the PLA can assert China’s territorial claims with greater force. As part of these reforms, Xi aims to create a "world-class" fighting force capable of competing with other global powers.

The purges of senior military officers are not limited to the Rocket Force but extend to the military-industrial complex, which has seen a number of aerospace executives and high-ranking officers removed from their roles. The trend of sudden disappearances of top officials, such as the case of Li Shangfu last summer, suggests that Xi is determined to reshape the PLA leadership, purging any potential threats to his authority.

In addition to the corruption crackdown, Xi has focused on reshaping the political structure of the military. Traditionally, the defense minister holds significant sway in military matters, but Dong’s appointment to this largely ceremonial role without inclusion in the CMC marks a break from past practice. This deviation signals Xi’s desire to centralize power within the top ranks of the military, further consolidating his control.

Admiral Miao’s case is particularly significant given his close ties to Dong Jun and his long history of political maneuvering within the PLA. Miao’s rise through the ranks of the military’s political departments is a testament to his influence, and his suspension marks another chapter in Xi’s ongoing efforts to stamp out corruption and political disloyalty within the ranks.

The ongoing purge of military leaders illustrates the broader challenges faced by Xi in tackling corruption within the PLA. Experts point out that corruption in China’s military is deeply entrenched, and while Xi’s efforts have made some headway, the system of patronage and loyalty within the PLA presents an ongoing challenge. As Lyle Morris, a foreign policy expert, noted, corruption in the PLA is not merely the result of a few bad actors, but a pervasive issue that is woven into the fabric of the military's operations.

Despite Xi’s extensive efforts to combat this corruption, analysts warn that these challenges will continue to pose a threat to China’s military stability. While the purges may bring short-term victories, the long-term success of Xi’s reforms will depend on whether they can address the systemic issues that have allowed corruption to flourish within the PLA. As China continues to modernize its military and expand its global influence, the battle against corruption will remain a central issue for Xi and his successors.