Wed Nov 27 06:50:51 UTC 2024: ## China’s Defence Minister Under Investigation for Corruption
**BEIJING** – China’s Defence Minister, General Dong Jun, is under investigation for suspected corruption, according to reports in the Financial Times. This follows a sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that has already claimed two of Dong’s predecessors.
Unnamed US officials cited by the FT report that Dong, appointed only last December, is the third consecutive Chinese Defence Minister to face such allegations. His predecessors, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, were both expelled from the Communist Party and face corruption charges, accused of bribery and seeking personal gain. A statement from the Communist Party described their actions as damaging to the military’s image and leadership.
Dong, a former PLA Navy chief, played a key role in recent efforts to improve US-China military relations, overseeing the first theatre-level commander talks between the two nations in September. His investigation represents a significant blow to ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Experts express concern about the implications of this ongoing purge. Dylan Loh, an assistant professor at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, noted the impact on China’s efforts to maintain a clean image in its leadership. Victor Shih, an expert on Chinese elite politics, highlighted the immense financial power wielded by high-ranking military officials, estimating that Dong likely oversaw procurement budgets in the tens of billions annually during his time in the navy. Shih also suggested the intense competition for top positions within the PLA could lead to a cycle of accusations and investigations.
The investigation into Dong further underscores the scale of the anti-corruption campaign within the PLA, which has already seen at least nine generals and several defence industry executives removed from their positions. Chinese officials have yet to officially comment on the allegations against Minister Dong.
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