Top Military Official Under Investigation
China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), the nation’s highest military authority led by President Xi Jinping, is undergoing another significant shake-up. Admiral Miao Hua, a senior member of the six-person commission and head of its Political Work department, has been placed under investigation for “serious violations of discipline,” a term often used to describe corruption. The announcement, made by defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian, highlights the intensifying scrutiny within China’s military leadership.
Adm. Miao’s position in the CMC, though not at the level of its two vice-chairmen—Generals Zhang Youxia and He Weidong—places him in an influential role within the Chinese military hierarchy. Notably, Miao Hua, 69, shares a long history with Xi Jinping, having served as a political commissar in Fujian during the 1990s and early 2000s when Xi was the province’s governor. This close professional connection raised Miao’s profile, leading to his appointment as the PLA Navy’s top political commissar in 2014, shortly after Xi’s ascent as China’s paramount leader.
A Broader Crackdown on Military Corruption
The investigation into Miao Hua follows a string of corruption probes targeting high-ranking military officials. Just days earlier, reports emerged that China’s Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun was also under investigation, making him the third defense minister in recent years implicated in corruption scandals. Both Dong’s predecessors, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, were found guilty of bribery earlier this year. However, Beijing has denied the reports about Dong, with the foreign ministry dismissing them as baseless speculation.
Although the defense minister’s role is largely symbolic, the recent investigations suggest deeper concerns about corruption in the broader military apparatus. Miao Hua is reportedly a political ally of Dong, having served alongside him in the PLA Navy. This connection, along with Miao’s suspension, underscores the broader reach of Xi’s anti-corruption drive.
Xi’s Purge and Military Modernization Efforts
Since assuming power in 2012, Xi Jinping has made combating corruption a cornerstone of his leadership. The military has been a key focus of these efforts, with several high-ranking officials, including former CMC vice-chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, being investigated and punished after their terms ended. In 2022, Xi’s anti-corruption campaign expanded to include the dismissal of multiple top generals, further signaling his intent to root out misconduct within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The latest purges coincide with Xi’s push to modernize China’s military leadership and narrow the gap with the United States in terms of defense capabilities. By consolidating power and tightening control over military operations, Xi aims to ensure loyalty and efficiency within the PLA. However, the ongoing investigations may expose vulnerabilities in the military’s internal structure, raising questions about stability and trust within China’s armed forces.
As the crackdown deepens, the outcomes of these investigations could reshape the landscape of China’s military leadership, reaffirming Xi’s authority while highlighting the persistent challenges of corruption and factionalism in the world’s largest standing army.
