China’s military leadership has faced an unprecedented shake-up as He Weidong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and a Politburo member, was expelled from both the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the People’s Liberation Army amid a corruption probe. The Ministry of Defence announced that He Weidong is under formal investigation, making him the first sitting Politburo member to face such scrutiny, while nine other senior military officers were punished for serious breaches of discipline and work-related offenses.
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, military spokesperson, described the violations as grave, noting that the sums involved were “particularly huge” and the impact “exceptionally negative.” The officials under investigation include top figures from across the army, navy, air force, and paramilitary units, highlighting the broad scope of Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign within the armed forces. Notable among them are Miao Hua, former CMC member responsible for political and personnel work; He Hongjun, Miao’s deputy; Wang Xiubin, former executive deputy director of the CMC Joint Operations Command Centre; Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Wang Houbin, and Wang Chunning.
The CMC, China’s top military authority, is headed by President Xi Jinping, who holds the concurrent role of General Secretary of the CPC. Unlike most countries, China’s military operates under party command, not the state, giving Xi direct control over the armed forces. Analysts view the crackdown as both a continuation of Xi’s anti-corruption drive—which has punished over a million officials and dozens of top generals over the past 12 years—and a measure to consolidate his authority ahead of the upcoming key party plenary session from October 20–23. The meeting will review China’s five-year plan and respond to challenges, including U.S. tariffs, tech restrictions, and broader economic pressures.
The removal of He Weidong marks the third CMC member to be ousted since the current leadership assumed office in 2022. As a result, only four of the seven officials appointed at the 20th Party Congress remain in the commission: vice-chairman Zhang Youxia, and members Liu Zhenli, Zhang Shengmin, and Xi himself. The public disclosure of these investigations is rare and reflects the party’s messaging that corruption at the highest military levels will not be tolerated.
Officials argue that the anti-corruption campaign strengthens the military’s cohesion, discipline, and combat effectiveness. Zhang emphasized that the cases demonstrate the party’s determination to eliminate corrupt elements, ensuring that the military remains “purer, more consolidated, and endowed with stronger cohesion and combat effectiveness.” The investigation into He Weidong and other top brass has sent shockwaves through China’s armed forces, underscoring the high stakes of Xi’s ongoing campaign to enforce discipline and consolidate power.
