Xi Jinpings Anticorruption Drive Targets Senior Chinese Military Chiefs

Thousands of Chinese government officials gathered in Beijing for the annual legislative meetings, known as the “two sessions,” this month. Among those absent were at least a dozen active and retired military officers, including General Zhang Youxia, who has been under investigation since late January.

General Zhang’s absence is part of a wider anticorruption sweep that has become a hallmark of President Xi Jinping’s tenure. The initiative was launched shortly after Xi rose to power in 2012 and targeted officials across China’s state, military, and Communist Party apparatus.

Recent reports indicate that Xi has renewed the sweep through the military leadership of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This time, the net appears to be even wider, including operational commanders and members of the Central Military Commission. The PLA’s latest work report placed the fight against corruption as equal to other goals such as “political rectification” and ensuring loyalty.

Corruption remains a priority for President Xi, according to China’s official military newspaper. The paper stated that “corruption is the biggest cancer eroding combat effectiveness.” The PLA’s 100th anniversary in August 2027 will mark an opportunity for the organization to take stock of its decades-long modernization campaign.

Tristan Tang, a research fellow at the Pacific Forum, noted that Zhang and other military targets reflect Xi’s long-running dissatisfaction with management of the armed forces. The recent removals are seen as an extension of this campaign, which has led to the removal or investigation of dozens of officials in recent years.

Source: Al Jazeera