Internal moves by Xi are going on as he removes those who he considers even possibly against him in any way. The man can easily be called Emperor Xi, as his consolidation of power now rivals Mao.
China’s leadership has recently accused two former defense ministers, Gen. Li Shangfu and Gen. Wei Fenghe, of serious corruption charges that have significantly impacted the nation’s military operations and weapons production. These accusations, laid out by the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo, have raised concerns about the integrity and reliability of the military leadership under President Xi Jinping.
Gen. Li Shangfu, who served as the defense minister for most of last year, and Gen. Wei Fenghe, who held the position from 2018 to 2023, were both found to have accepted “huge” bribes in exchange for favorable military promotions and other personal gains. This corrupt behavior reportedly extended to manipulating the country’s weapons production processes. Both generals have been stripped of their military ranks and expelled from the Communist Party, with their cases now referred to military prosecutors. Given the severity of the accusations, it is almost certain they will face trial and potentially severe sentences.
China Expels Two Former Defense Ministers for Corruptionhttps://t.co/k44KY6mOxR
— Devin Gilson (@DevinDev39320) June 27, 2024
The timing of these revelations is critical as they come amid broader investigations into military corruption initiated by Xi, who has expressed determination to purge the military of misconduct and disloyalty. The focus on rooting out corruption is not new; Xi has held similar purges in the past, notably in 2014, emphasizing the ongoing challenge of maintaining ethical governance within the military ranks.
These developments could have implications for China’s military modernization efforts. The investigation into Gen. Li, in particular, has uncovered significant corruption within the military equipment sector, a key area given China’s ambitious plans to enhance its military capabilities. Before becoming defense minister, Gen. Li specialized in military equipment, underscoring the potential impact of his corrupt actions on this sector.
China🇨🇳 expelled two former defense ministers from the ruling Communist Party over alleged corruption Thursday, the latest sign of a secretive crackdown sweeping the country’s elite.
The moves against Li Shangfu and his predecessor, Wei Fenghe, follow a series of shake-ups at… pic.twitter.com/BRoyOE0iAz
— The Geopol Journal (@geopoljournal) June 27, 2024
The accusations against the two generals have also led to increased vigilance regarding the loyalty and effectiveness of other high-ranking military officials. This situation underscores potential issues of dissatisfaction or insubordination within the senior ranks of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which could have broader implications for the stability and effectiveness of China’s military leadership.
Moreover, the integrity of Xi’s leadership is now under scrutiny, particularly regarding his decisions in military appointments. Both implicated generals were promoted by Xi, raising questions about his judgment and the criteria used in selecting top military leaders. This situation is particularly delicate as the PLA is a critical pillar of the Communist Party’s power and Xi’s broader political agenda, including his aspirations to position China as a dominant global power and to integrate Taiwan into the People’s Republic of China.
China’s Communist Party expelled two former defense ministers for alleged corruption, raising questions about the combat readiness of one of the world’s most powerful militaries https://t.co/VAax5WIOyj https://t.co/VAax5WIOyj
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) June 27, 2024
Despite these challenges, experts like Andrew N.D. Yang, a specialist on the Chinese military, believe that these issues will not significantly alter China’s strategic military objectives. The primary goal remains to develop an effective military force capable of asserting China’s influence globally and ensuring its security interests, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
Key Points:
i. China’s leadership has accused former defense ministers Gen. Li Shangfu and Gen. Wei Fenghe of accepting substantial bribes and other corrupt practices that affected military promotions and weapons production.
ii. Both generals have been stripped of their military ranks and expelled from the Communist Party, with their cases forwarded to military prosecutors for likely severe legal repercussions.
iii. These allegations have emerged amid broader investigations into corruption within the military, initiated by President Xi Jinping, who is committed to purging misconduct from the armed forces.
iv. The scandal raises concerns about Xi’s judgment in appointing top military officials and the potential impact on China’s military modernization and objectives.
v. Despite these challenges, experts believe the core goals of enhancing China’s military capabilities to assert global influence and secure regional interests will continue unabated.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
