China Investigates Top Military Official for Corruption

China’s defense ministry announced on Thursday that a senior military official, Admiral Miao Hua, has been dismissed from his duties amid an ongoing investigation into “serious violations of discipline.” This marks the latest development in Beijing’s continuing crackdown on corruption within the country’s military ranks.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, Wu Qian, confirmed the suspension of Miao, who also holds a position on the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) alongside top officials, including President Xi Jinping. However, Wu did not elaborate on the specific charges against Miao. The phrase “serious violations of discipline” is often used by Chinese authorities as a euphemism for corruption.

Miao was a prominent figure, heading the CMC’s Political Work Department, the key office overseeing military affairs. He had been considered a close ally of President Xi and was seen as a key intermediary between the military and the Communist Party, according to analysts.

The investigation into Miao comes as part of a broader effort by Xi Jinping to root out corruption within China’s military. This crackdown intensified over the past year, with Xi urging the military to eliminate graft and enhance its “war preparedness.” Some experts suggest that concerns over corruption in the armed forces are linked to the potential impact on China’s readiness for future conflicts.

Despite Xi’s efforts, the ongoing investigations, including Miao’s removal, highlight the persistence of corruption issues within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Dylan Loh, an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, noted that the public nature of these probes reflects Xi’s commitment to addressing systemic issues, even at the risk of damaging the military’s reputation.

At the same press briefing, Wu Qian denied rumors that Defence Minister Dong Jun was under investigation for corruption, calling such reports “pure fabrications” and expressing Beijing’s strong dissatisfaction with the rumors.

Dong, a former navy commander, was appointed defense minister in December following the abrupt dismissal of his predecessor, Li Shangfu. Li was expelled from the Communist Party over alleged bribery and has not been seen in public since. Wei Fenghe, Li’s predecessor, also faced similar charges and was turned over to prosecutors.

China’s Rocket Force, which controls the nation’s extensive arsenal of strategic missiles, has been a particular focus of scrutiny. In July, Sun Jinming, a senior official in the Rocket Force, was expelled from the party and placed under investigation for corruption. Several other high-ranking officers in the Rocket Force have also been dismissed in connection with graft.

Experts predict that the investigations into the PLA will continue, with more high-ranking officials likely to face scrutiny. “This will not end with Miao Hua or Li Shangfu,” said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.