28-11-2024 (BEIJING) Admiral Miao Hua, a prominent figure in China’s military establishment, has been suspended from his duties amid allegations of “serious violations of discipline”, marking the latest development in Beijing’s intensifying anti-corruption campaign within its armed forces.
The announcement, made today by defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian, follows a series of high-profile removals from China’s military leadership. Miao, who held a position on the influential Central Military Commission, becomes the most recent senior official to face scrutiny under President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-graft initiative.
This development comes amid unconfirmed reports that current Defence Minister Dong Jun is under investigation for corruption. If verified, Dong would become the third consecutive Chinese defence minister to face corruption charges, following the dramatic removals of Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, both of whom were expelled from the Communist Party for alleged impropriety.
President Xi has recently intensified efforts to combat corruption within the military, explicitly ordering forces to eliminate graft and enhance combat readiness. According to US officials cited by Bloomberg, the urgency of this anti-corruption drive is partly motivated by concerns about the potential impact of corruption on China’s military capabilities.
The crackdown has particularly affected China’s strategic Rocket Force, which oversees the nation’s conventional and nuclear missile arsenal. In July, Sun Jinming, a senior Rocket Force official, was placed under investigation for alleged corruption.
