In a development that has drawn significant attention, the profiles of at least three prominent Chinese scientists have reportedly disappeared from the official website of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), one of China’s most prestigious academic institutions. The move has raised questions because it comes amid an ongoing anti-corruption campaign led by Chinese President Xi Jinping that has already affected senior figures in the country’s military and defence sectors.
According to a report by the Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning Post, the profiles of three well-known scientists — Zhao Xiangeng, Wu Manqing, and Wei Yiyin — were removed from the CAE website on Saturday. All three are recognised as leading experts in key strategic fields including nuclear weapons research, radar technology, and missile development.
The Chinese Academy of Engineering is widely regarded as the country’s highest honorary and advisory institution in the fields of engineering and technological sciences. Established in 1994, the academy serves as an important think tank for China’s State Council, the nation’s top administrative body. Membership in the CAE is considered one of the most prestigious academic honours for scientists and engineers in China.
Despite the prominence of the three scientists, no official explanation has been provided for the sudden removal of their profiles from the academy’s website. The lack of clarification has led to speculation about whether the move may be connected to the broader political and disciplinary actions taking place within China’s defence and military establishment.
Among the three scientists, Zhao Xiangeng is considered one of China’s leading experts in nuclear weapons research. In addition to his role as a member of the CAE, Zhao has been associated with the Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics in Beijing. The institute is responsible for theoretical research and design related to China’s strategic weapons programme. Its website still describes Zhao as one of the country’s key academic and technical leaders in nuclear weapons development.
According to information cited by the South China Morning Post, Zhao played an important role in shaping theoretical frameworks for nuclear weapons development and reliability testing, particularly during the period after China halted nuclear weapon testing. He was responsible for designing theoretical plans, addressing technological challenges, and contributing to advancements in nuclear science and technology. Zhao became a member of the CAE in 2011 and later served as the academy’s vice-president for two years.
Another scientist whose profile was removed is Wu Manqing, a radar technology specialist who has played a major role in China’s defence research programmes. Wu was instrumental in the development of China’s early-warning aircraft systems, including the KJ-500 airborne early-warning and control aircraft used by the Chinese air force.
Wu has also been involved in a number of major national projects, including work related to big-data applications, social security risk monitoring, integrated electronic information systems for military operations, and communications networks linking satellites with ground-based systems. He was elected as an academician of the CAE in 2009.
The third scientist whose profile disappeared from the website is missile expert Wei Yiyin. Wei became a member of the CAE in 2019 and previously served as vice general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, a state-owned enterprise responsible for developing a wide range of defence technologies. These include missile systems, solid-fuel rockets, and various space-related equipment.
Although Chinese authorities have not commented on the reason behind the removal of the profiles, similar developments in the past have sometimes preceded disciplinary investigations or political action. In 2017, for instance, environmental scientist Meng Wei was removed from the CAE after his profile disappeared from official websites. State media later reported that he had been investigated for “serious discipline violations.”
More recently, China’s defence sector has experienced a sweeping anti-corruption campaign that has affected several high-ranking officials and scientists. Reports in 2024 indicated that rocket scientist Xiao Longxu was expelled from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference as part of the campaign targeting corruption within the defence industry. The same drive also affected multiple senior figures connected to the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, including prominent rocket scientist Wang Xiaojun and former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe.
Earlier this year, additional figures linked to China’s defence and nuclear research sectors were reportedly removed from political positions. These included nuclear expert Liu Cangli, former head of the China Academy of Engineering Physics Luo Qi, and aviation industry executive Zhou Xinmin, who were expelled from the National People’s Congress.
At the same time, Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has also affected China’s top military leadership. In 2026, senior generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, both members of the powerful Central Military Commission, were reportedly investigated over corruption allegations and suspected leaks of sensitive information.
For now, Chinese authorities have not clarified whether the disappearance of the CAE profiles of Zhao Xiangeng, Wu Manqing, and Wei Yiyin is connected to similar disciplinary actions. However, given the ongoing crackdown across China’s military, defence industry, and scientific institutions, the sudden removal of the scientists’ profiles has sparked renewed speculation that another purge may be unfolding within the country’s strategic research establishment.
