By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 2: China’s top lawmakers ousted nine senior military officers from the national legislative body on December 29, prompting observers to question such drastic measure and the overall stability of Chinese military set up.
Analysts say that the removal of nine senior military officers from the national legislative body has unveiled a distressing reality of systemic corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). State media reported the ousting of these officers, including several from the crucial ‘rocket force’ responsible for tactical and nuclear missiles, a move that often precedes further punitive measures against errant officials. This setback not only weakens the military but also threatens to impede President Xi Jinping’s ambitious drive to modernize the armed forces amidst escalating geopolitical tensions.
Xi Jinping has allocated substantial financial resources toward acquiring and advancing military equipment as part of the comprehensive modernization strategy aimed at establishing a “world-class” military by 2050. However, the recent downfall of generals and military suppliers has cast a shadow over these efforts, raising concerns about the oversight of colossal military investments, particularly in the context of China’s rivalry with the United States, contesting in areas like Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Since ascending to power in 2012, Xi Jinping has undertaken an extensive anti-corruption campaign within the Communist Party and government ranks, with the PLA as the primary focus. The nine ousted PLA generals represented various military divisions, including former high-ranking officials from the rocket force, air force, and navy.
The removal of Wei Fenghe, a former defence minister and head of the rocket force, and subsequent silence surrounding his whereabouts, echoes a pattern seen with Li Shangfu, his successor as defence minister, and former head of the equipment department. Li’s unexplained removal in October, after months of absence, marked a concerning trend within the military hierarchy. Dong Jun, a former navy chief renowned for his involvement in the South China Sea, replaced Li as defence minister, further signalling the shakeup. The absence of a clear explanation from Beijing regarding the removal of these generals fuels speculation, with some analysts pointing to potential corruption related to equipment procurement within the rocket force.
