China's Defense Minister Dong Jun, Former Navy Chief and Xi Ally, Under Corruption Investigation

Nov 27, 2024, 01:52 AM

China has placed its Defense Minister, Admiral Dong Jun, under investigation for corruption as part of a broader probe into graft in the People's Liberation Army (PLA), according to US officials familiar with the situation. Dong Jun, a close ally and appointee of President Xi Jinping and former commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), was appointed in December 2023 after his predecessor was fired for corruption. He is the third consecutive defense minister, following Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, to be investigated for alleged corruption. Dong Jun, the sixth highest PLA officer, reportedly refused to meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week. The Financial Times reported that this marks the latest corruption scandal to hit the upper ranks of the PLA.