China’s military purge raises questions over stability and modernization
China has ousted nine military figures from its national parliament without explanation, adding to a series of recent removals that are raising questions about the impact of such turmoil on China’s military.
The nine officials, who were members of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s rubber-stamp legislature, were dismissed on Friday, according to state media. No reasons were given for their expulsion, which was approved by a vote of the NPC Standing Committee.
Five of those cut came from the nation’s secretive Rocket Force, which controls the nuclear arsenal, and two from the Equipment Development Department, which oversees arms procurement. Both departments are vital for China’s military modernization and have been under investigation for corruption.
The removals are a sign of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s nearly decade-long drive to clean up the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which has been plagued by corruption and inefficiency. Xi has launched probes into some of the top current and retired generals, as well as a fresh round of inspections across the country.
However, some analysts have also speculated that the purge may reflect Xi’s desire to consolidate his power and eliminate potential rivals within the military, especially ahead of a crucial Communist Party congress next year, where he is expected to seek a third term as leader.
The NPC also installed former navy chief Dong Jun as China’s new defense minister, potentially paving the way for a resumption of high-level military exchanges between China and the US, which have been stalled by tensions over Taiwan, the South China Sea, and human rights.
Dong is seen as a moderate and pragmatic figure who has experience in dealing with foreign counterparts. He replaced Li Shangfu, who was abruptly dismissed in October after being implicated in a corruption investigation.
The reshuffle comes at a time when China is facing growing challenges to its security interests, both at home and abroad. China has been locked in a border standoff with India, a trade war with the US, and a diplomatic spat with Australia. It has also been accused of cracking down on dissent in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet.
China’s military, which is the world’s largest with 2 million troops, has been undergoing a massive overhaul in recent years, aimed at enhancing its combat readiness and projecting its power globally. China has invested heavily in developing new weapons, such as stealth fighters, aircraft carriers, hypersonic missiles, and artificial intelligence.
However, some experts have also warned that China’s military still faces gaps in its capabilities, such as in logistics, training, and coordination. They have also questioned whether China’s military can maintain its cohesion and morale amid the constant reshuffling and scrutiny.
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