New Delhi: In a remarkable series of purges within China’s military and political hierarchy, three defence ministers and numerous senior military officials have faced scrutiny in recent years.
The latest upheaval involves Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, who is reportedly under investigation for corruption. This follows the recent dismissal of Admiral Miao Hua, a senior figure in the Central Military Commission (CMC), who was removed from his post due to “serious violations of discipline”.
The termination of Admiral Miao Hua is particularly noteworthy, as he was a trusted political commissar and a close associate of President Xi Jinping. His removal highlights the severity of Xi’s ongoing anti-corruption initiative which, critics contend, also targets those deemed politically disloyal. Miao Hua played a crucial role in Xi’s efforts to restructure the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), aimed at consolidating authority and modernising military operations.
These events occur as Xi intensifies his control over the military, stressing the importance of loyalty to the Communist Party. The Central Military Commission, led by Xi himself, serves as the primary power centre, overshadowing the defence ministry, which lacks both budgetary and operational authority.
The recent turmoil is not confined to the military alone. Lin Liang, a former chairman of the Bank of China, received a death sentence for bribery this month, while a former foreign minister was dismissed due to personal misconduct. The opacity surrounding these cases has sparked widespread speculation, with analysts comparing the political atmosphere to an Agatha Christie mystery.
China’s People’s Liberation Army is in troubled waters with top officials being dismissed under graft charges and some disappearing under puzzling circumstances. With Miao Hua’s suspension latest in the row, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at previous dismissals and what is driving Xi Jinping’s extensive purge within his own military ranks. Watch episode 1562 of #CutTheClutter.
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