Wed Nov 27 20:50:00 UTC 2024: ## China’s Defence Minister Under Investigation for Corruption
**Beijing, November 27, 2024** – Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun is under investigation for corruption, according to a report in the Financial Times. This makes him the third consecutive Chinese defence minister to face such allegations, raising concerns about widespread graft within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The Financial Times, citing unnamed U.S. officials, linked the investigation to a broader crackdown on military corruption initiated by President Xi Jinping. While the Chinese foreign ministry dismissed the report as “chasing shadows,” the news follows the recent dismissals of Dong’s predecessors, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, both also accused of corruption.
Experts suggest the intensity of the anti-corruption drive stems from fears that military corruption could hinder China’s warfighting capabilities. The PLA’s Rocket Force, responsible for China’s strategic missiles, has been a particular focus of the crackdown, with several high-ranking officials already investigated.
The scale of potential corruption is significant. Victor Shih, an expert on Chinese elite politics, estimated that Dong Jun likely oversaw procurement budgets in the tens of billions annually during his time in the navy. Analysts suggest the investigations could be due to flawed vetting processes or deeper political issues. The ongoing investigations continue to raise questions about the PLA’s internal stability and its impact on China’s military readiness.
First Piper 