China's Third Consecutive Defense Minister Dong Jun Under Corruption Probe, Say US Officials

Nov 27, 2024, 03:52 AM

China has placed its Defense Minister, Admiral Dong Jun, under investigation for corruption, according to reports by the Financial Times citing current and former US officials. Dong Jun, appointed in December 2023 after his predecessor was fired for corruption, is the third consecutive Chinese defense minister to be investigated for alleged graft following Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe. The investigation is part of a broader probe into corruption within the People's Liberation Army (PLA), marking the latest corruption scandal to hit the top ranks of China's military. Dong Jun, a former People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) commander, is considered a close ally of President Xi Jinping.