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China's Defense Minister Dong Jun Under Probe; CMC Member Miao Hua Suspended Amid Corruption Crackdown

Nov 28, 2024, 12:51 AM

China's Defense Minister Dong Jun, the sixth-highest officer in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and former commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), is reportedly under investigation as part of a broader probe into corruption within the military, according to U.S. officials. Dong Jun, appointed in December 2023 after his predecessor was fired for corruption, is the second consecutive defense minister to face scrutiny, suggesting the scandal is broader than the previous investigation that took down Li Shangfu. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has denied these reports, with spokeswoman Mao Ning labeling them as 'groundless' and 'shadow-chasing.' Concurrently, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced the suspension and investigation of Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and director of the Political Work Department, for 'serious violations of discipline.' Miao Hua, who previously worked with President Xi Jinping in Fujian, is a high-ranking official within the CMC, underscoring the extent of the anti-corruption campaign. These developments highlight Xi's efforts to transform China's military into a modern force by 2027 amid concerns that graft has eroded the quality of weapons and capabilities of special units.