“The new Minister of Defense of China, Dong Jun, has become a participant in a large-scale anti-corruption investigation initiated by President Xi Jinping at the top of the People’s Liberation Army of China. The investigation also covered other high-ranking officials of the military leadership.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
The new Minister of Defense of China, Dong Jun, has become a participant in a large-scale anti-corruption investigation initiated by President Xi Jinping at the top of the People’s Liberation Army of China. The investigation also covered other high-ranking officials of the military leadership.
Source: Financial Times
Details: According to current and former US officials, the investigation is part of a large-scale anti-corruption campaign led by President Xi at the top of the PLA. Jun, appointed in December 2023, succeeds General Li Shangfu, who was fired on corruption charges after seven months in office.
Dong, like his predecessors, was chosen by Xi himself. In addition to the defense ministers, the investigations also affected two former commanders of the missile forces who were responsible for China’s nuclear program.
The situation has escalated against the background of growing tension in US-China relations. Dong recently refused to meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a meeting of defense chiefs on the sidelines of the Asian Summit in Laos.
Li replaced Wei Fenghe, who also came under investigation for corruption after he resigned.
Literally: “U.S. officers and officials suggest that investigations into the PLA have undermined Xi’s confidence in his military and raised questions about whether it can develop the capability to invade Taiwan by 2027, a goal set by the Chinese president.”