Xi Jinping Expels Nine Senior Military Officials Amid Ongoing Anti-Corruption Campaign

In a significant move, China's Defense Ministry announced the expulsion of General He Weidong, the country's second-highest-ranking military officer, along with eight other senior commanders, from both the Communist Party and the military.

General He, 68, who served as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and was a member of the Politburo, has been under investigation for several months. His removal marks the first time since the Cultural Revolution that a sitting general from the CMC has been dismissed while in office.

Admiral Miao Hua, the PLA's senior political officer, was also expelled. The other seven officials include leaders from various branches of the military, such as the army, navy, rocket force, and armed police. All nine were members of the Communist Party’s Central Committee.

The Defense Ministry cited serious violations of Party discipline and suspected major duty-related crimes involving exceptionally large sums of money. The cases have been transferred to military prosecution authorities for legal review and potential prosecution.

This purge is part of President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has intensified in recent years. The campaign has led to the investigation and punishment of over 1.34 million officials since 2013, including high-ranking military officers and executives of state-owned enterprises.

While the expulsion of these officials is a significant development, it is not an isolated incident. Several other senior military officials with close ties to Xi Jinping have also been removed or have disappeared in recent months. For instance, General Xu Qiliang, a former vice-chairman of the CMC, passed away earlier this year, and his absence was noted during a recent military ceremony.

The timing of these purges, ahead of the Communist Party's Central Committee's Fourth Plenary Session, suggests that President Xi is consolidating his power and eliminating potential rivals within the military. Analysts believe that these actions reflect broader concerns about military loyalty and effectiveness, beyond just corruption

In China's legal system, officials convicted of serious corruption-related crimes can face severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. For example, in 2024, a former official was executed for embezzling over $412 million, marking one of the most high-profile corruption cases in the country.

As the anti-corruption campaign continues, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the leadership dynamics within China's military and the broader political landscape.