China is investigating senior military official Miao Hua. Will it affect the PLA?

China is investigating senior military official Miao Hua. Will it affect the PLA?

In 2017, Admiral Miao Hua was a rising general when he became a member of China’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) and director of its political work department. Taking over the party-building, ideology and personnel work of the world’s largest army would give Miao a significant say in senior appointments in the People’s Liberation Army … Read more

‘Groundless’: China dismisses report of corruption probe into Defence Minister Dong Jun

‘Groundless’: China dismisses report of corruption probe into Defence Minister Dong Jun

China’s foreign ministry has described a report that Defence Minister Dong Jun is under investigation as “groundless”. The Financial Times reported on Wednesday morning, citing current and former US officials, that Dong was the third consecutive serving or former Chinese defence minister to be investigated for alleged corruption. On Wednesday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning … Read more

Why the US-China tech war has put bugs in the academic system back in Beijing’s sights

Why the US-China tech war has put bugs in the academic system back in Beijing’s sights

It was just four months ago, on May 17, when Sun Beicheng made headlines around the world as he led a team that successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a patient with liver cancer. By July, Sun was making headlines again, but this time he was one of six researchers named and shamed … Read more

China places former chairman of top aircraft maker AVIC under investigation for corruption

China places former chairman of top aircraft maker AVIC under investigation for corruption

Tan, 62, was removed from his post at state-owned giant AVIC in March 2023 for age reasons, according to the party’s personnel management arm. Tan, a native of Hunan province, is a technocrat trained in aviation engine design, manufacturing and engineering. He had spent two decades with AVIC, a conglomerate with over 100 subsidiaries and … Read more

China’s military commits to full ‘rectification’ in corruption investigations’ wake

China’s military commits to full ‘rectification’ in corruption investigations’ wake

“It is a serious and significant political task that requires unwavering determination and practical actions. “We must integrate our efforts into the struggle, preparation for war, and construction of the military … We must also continuously consolidate the Communist Party’s leadership in the new era and achieve the great goal of building a strong military.” … Read more

Exclusive | Official indictment of fallen Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe may include coded hint he was compromised by hostile force

Exclusive | Official indictment of fallen Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe may include coded hint he was compromised by hostile force

Of the all top generals who fell in Xi’s war against corruption, Wei was the only one described as “zhongcheng shi jie” or “ being disloyal and losing one’s chastity”. The hard-to-translate phrase “shi jie” has its origins in Chinese history, where it was used to describe the moral degradation of the scholar-gentry who formed … Read more

China amasses record half-year ‘tiger’ tally in anti-corruption campaign

China amasses record half-year ‘tiger’ tally in anti-corruption campaign

All of the tigers – as the CCDI refers to them – belonged to a pool of officials known as “centrally managed cadres”, meaning they held ranks at the deputy ministerial level or above. A smaller number held slightly lower ranks but occupied key positions in critical sectors. Eight of the 36 detained in the … Read more

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2024: after high-level purges, will party leadership tidy up loose ends?

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2024: after high-level purges, will party leadership tidy up loose ends?

On Tuesday, Qin resigned as a member of the national legislature, according to an official statement, while Li was also removed from the party’s Central Military Commission (CMC). The pair remained on the Central Committee, however, the Communist Party’s 300-strong decision making body. Nine other generals, including two former rocket force commanders, were “suspected of … Read more

Former Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu removed from Central Military Commission as downfall gathers pace

Former Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu removed from Central Military Commission as downfall gathers pace

It is not clear when exactly his name was removed, and Beijing has not made any public announcements about his removal or explained when the decision was taken. Li, who had not been seen in public since late August, was removed as defence minister and state councillor without explanation at a meeting of the National … Read more

China’s top legislative body to discuss ‘appointments and dismissals’ amid military purge

China’s top legislative body to discuss ‘appointments and dismissals’ amid military purge

China’s top legislative body will gather later this month to discuss “appointments and dismissals” amid an ongoing purge that has snared several senior military figures. The National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee will meet on February 26 and 27 to review the agenda and work reports for the annual meeting of the full legislature a … Read more