China Investigates Miao Hua Amid Military Corruption; Defense Minister Dong Jun Implicated

Nov 28, 2024, 12:51 AM

China has announced that Miao Hua, a high-ranking military official and member of the Central Military Commission, is under investigation for "serious violations of discipline." Miao Hua serves as the director of the political work department on the powerful Central Military Commission that oversees the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Reports also suggest that Defense Minister Dong Jun is under investigation, potentially making him the third consecutive Chinese defense minister to face scrutiny. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to inquiries about Dong Jun by stating that such reports are "chasing the wind and catching shadows," implying a dismissal without an explicit denial. These developments highlight ongoing concerns about corruption within the PLA and raise questions about the efficacy of Beijing's internal vetting processes. The investigations pose challenges to President Xi Jinping's goal of transforming China's military into a modern force by 2027. The persistence of graft has eroded the quality of weapons and capabilities of special units, leading to sweeping purges of senior leaders. This situation could make long-term policy planning and readiness for combat difficult.