Miao Hua Suspended Amid China's Anti-Graft Crackdown

China Probes Top Military Leader Miao Hua for Corruption

“The rumor-mongers are ill-intentioned. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction with such...”

China's Defense Ministry has denied reports that Defense Minister Dong Jun is under investigation for corruption, calling the allegations 'fabrication'.

China's Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that Admiral Miao Hua, a senior military official, has been removed from office due to suspected “serious violations of discipline.” This move is the latest in Beijing's sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the armed forces.

Miao Hua's suspension marks a significant development in President Xi Jinping's efforts to root out corruption and ensure the military's loyalty to the Communist Party. As a prominent member of the Central Military Commission, Miao Hua's removal underscores the challenges Xi faces in maintaining discipline within the military ranks.

The anti-corruption campaign has seen numerous high-ranking military officials dismissed, investigated, or prosecuted for graft. Experts warn that unless systemic reforms address the deeper issues, the PLA's modernization goals may be undermined.

Miao Hua's removal is also seen as a political tool for Xi Jinping to consolidate power within the military. By targeting senior officials, Xi ensures that the PLA remains firmly under the control of the Communist Party, with loyalty to him personally.

Chinese General Miao Hua has been suspended from duty pending an investigation into “serious violations of discipline,” according to Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry. This phrase is often used by Chinese officials to hint at corruption allegations. Miao, a senior member of the Central Military Commission, oversees the People's Liberation Army's political work department.

Miao's suspension is part of a broader anti-corruption crackdown within China's military, led by President Xi Jinping. Xi has pledged to boost the “war readiness” of Beijing's forces and has launched numerous graft probes into officials. The investigation into Miao appears to be a significant development in this campaign.

As Wu Qian stated, “Miao Hua has been suspended from duty pending investigation.” However, the spokesperson did not provide further details on the investigations. Miao's suspension marks a notable shift in the military's leadership and underscores the Chinese government's commitment to rooting out corruption within its ranks.

Miao Hua, a senior member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), has been removed from office due to suspected “serious violations of discipline.” As the director of the CMC's political department, Miao played a crucial role in the country's national defense authority.

China's military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), has been subject to multiple probes and suspensions, with at least nine generals and several defense industry executives removed from the CMC since last year. This is part of Beijing's broader anti-corruption drive, which has also targeted other sectors.

The force overseeing China's strategic missiles has faced intense scrutiny, with its top official, Sun Jinming, being expelled from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over corruption allegations in July. This move highlights the government's commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring the integrity of its military institutions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a massive anti-corruption campaign in 2013, shortly after taking office. This campaign was part of Xi's efforts to consolidate power within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Critics have accused Xi of using these probes to eliminate potential rivals and solidify his position.

The campaign has led to the investigation and prosecution of numerous high-ranking officials, including several members of the Politburo. One notable example is the case of Zhou Yongkang, a former Politburo Standing Committee member and national security chief, who was investigated and expelled from the party in 2014.

Despite the controversy surrounding the campaign, the Chinese government has maintained that it is a necessary step to root out corruption and restore public trust. Recently, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry dismissed reports that Defense Minister Dong Jun was under investigation for corruption, calling the claims “fabrication.”

“The rumor-mongers are ill-intentioned. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction with such slanderous behavior,” he said.

The Chinese Defense Ministry has denied reports that Defense Minister Dong Jun is under investigation for corruption. This comes after the UK's Financial Times published a report citing US officials claiming Dong was being probed by a Chinese anti-corruption investigation.

Dong Jun was appointed defense minister in December 2023, replacing Li Shangfu, who was removed from office after just seven months due to allegations of suspected bribery. This marked the second time in recent history that a defense minister had been ousted over corruption allegations, following the suspension of Wei Fenghe.

Despite the denial, the reports have sparked concerns about the extent of corruption within China's military leadership. The Chinese government has been cracking down on corruption in recent years, with several high-ranking officials facing investigation and prosecution.