In the most dramatic escalation of his military anti-corruption campaign to date, Chinese President Xi Jinping has purged General He Weidong, the second-ranking officer in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and vice-chair of the Central Military Commission (CMC), according to six people familiar with the matter. This is the first time in over 60 years that a serving CMC vice-chair has been removed from office, the Financial Times reported.
He Weidong’s fall marks unprecedented move
General He, who also held a seat on the Communist Party’s powerful Politburo, had recently been absent from several key public appearances, including a major politburo meeting on foreign policy and Xi’s annual tree-planting ceremony. His removal is widely believed to be linked to alleged corruption, though no official statement has been made. One source said He has been under interrogation since being detained.
Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics expert at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said the purge signals Xi’s determination to reshape the PLA as both a loyal enforcer of party rule and a globally capable fighting force. “This shows how serious Xi is about stamping out corruption in the military,” Thomas said.
Broader purge sweeps PLA and top ministries
Xi’s crackdown has already swept through the top echelons of the Chinese military. Over the past two years, he has dismissed two heads of the PLA Rocket Force—which manages part of China’s nuclear arsenal—as well as two defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu. Both were removed over corruption allegations, though formal charges have not been disclosed.
Former foreign minister Qin Gang, once seen as a close ally of Xi, was also unexpectedly ousted, reinforcing perceptions of growing political instability under Xi’s rule.
’s removal comes at a time of mounting domestic challenges for Xi, including the economic impact of the ongoing U.S.-China trade war and weakening investor confidence. Analysts say the PLA’s role as a guarantor of party control becomes especially vital in such uncertain periods, making internal discipline a priority for the leadership.
Despite media reports last year that new defence minister Dong Jun had been dismissed, sources indicate he has since been cleared of wrongdoing and was seen meeting Pakistan’s air force chief in Beijing this week.
Neither China’s defence ministry nor its foreign ministry have issued statements on He Weidong’s status, further deepening the mystery surrounding the scope and direction of Xi’s military and political purge.
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