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China's Defence Minister Dong Jun, Xi Ally, Becomes Third Consecutive Minister Under Corruption Investigation

Nov 27, 2024, 02:35 AM

China's Defence Minister, Admiral Dong Jun, a close ally and appointee of President Xi Jinping, has been placed under investigation for corruption, according to US officials. The probe is part of a broader effort to eradicate graft within the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and strengthen its readiness. Dong Jun, who previously served as commander of the navy and is the sixth highest-ranking officer in the PLA, was appointed in December 2023 after his predecessor was dismissed for corruption. He is the third consecutive Chinese defence minister to be investigated for alleged corruption, following Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe. This investigation highlights the ongoing challenges within the PLA's top ranks and raises concerns about the extent of corruption within China's military.