Story perspectives

China Purges Nine Military Officials in Anti-Corruption Drive

10/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

China expelled nine senior military officials, including General He Weidong (PLA), the second-highest officer, as part of a broad anti-corruption campaign led by Xi Jinping.
The Ministry of Defense announced the expulsions, citing serious violations of party discipline and duty-related crimes involving substantial sums of money.
Analysts say the purge could reflect internal power struggles in the Communist Party, which coincides with an upcoming meeting to discuss economic plans.

History

Historical Context

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, corruption has plagued the Communist Party, exacerbated by economic reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s. In 2012, Xi Jinping launched an extensive anti-corruption campaign, targeting over 1.5 million officials, including Zhou Yongkang. The recent expulsion of General He Weidong reflects ongoing efforts to consolidate power and address internal dissent within the party.

1 of 2

Story summary

China expelled nine senior military officials, including General He Weidong (PLA), the second-highest officer, as part of a broad anti-corruption campaign led by Xi Jinping.
The Ministry of Defense announced the expulsions, citing serious violations of party discipline and duty-related crimes involving substantial sums of money.
Analysts say the purge could reflect internal power struggles in the Communist Party, which coincides with an upcoming meeting to discuss economic plans.

1 / 2