BEIJING: China announced on Friday the expulsion of two senior generals from both the military and the ruling Communist Party, as part of an ongoing corruption investigation involving nine high-ranking military officials.
This move is the latest in a broad anti-corruption campaign that has been a hallmark of President Xi Jinping’s leadership since he took office more than a decade ago.
The announcement comes just days ahead of a closely watched four-day meeting of top officials in Beijing, where long-term economic planning will be a key focus, the AFP news agency reported.
He Weidong, the Central Military Commission (CMC) vice chairman, was among nine individuals to be expelled from the army for having “seriously violated” discipline, according to an online statement by defence ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang.
He had not been seen in public since March, fuelling speculation, though no formal investigation had been previously announced.
Also expelled was Miao Hua, the former head of the military’s political work department, who was officially removed from his position earlier this year, according to state media reports from June.
Zhang added that eight of the individuals under investigation were also stripped of their Communist Party membership, despite having previously served on the party’s powerful Central Committee.
President Xi Jinping has described corruption as “the biggest threat” to the Communist Party, warning that “the fight against corruption remains grave and complex.”
While supporters argue that the campaign encourages clean governance, critics suggest it also serves as a means for Xi to sideline political rivals.
“The severe punishment of He Weidong, Miao Hua […] and others once again demonstrates the Party Central Committee and the CMC’s unwavering resolve to persevere in the fight against corruption,” said Zhang.
He said that the crackdown represents a “significant achievement in the Party and military’s anti-corruption campaign”.
It has “contributed to a more pure, consolidated, cohesive and combat-ready People’s Army”, he added.
Former Defence Minister Li Shangfu was dismissed from his position in 2023 after just seven months in office. He was later expelled from the Communist Party on charges that included suspected bribery.
