Thu Dec 19 17:45:53 UTC 2024: ## Pentagon Report: China’s Military Modernization Hampered by Corruption Crackdown

**Washington, D.C. -** A new Pentagon report reveals that a sweeping anti-corruption campaign within China’s military has led to the removal of at least 15 high-ranking officers and defense executives, potentially hindering the country’s ambitious 2027 modernization goals. The report, released Wednesday, details how the removals, concentrated between July and December 2023, disrupted projects crucial to upgrading ground-based nuclear and conventional missiles.

While acknowledging China’s military advancements – including a significant increase in operational nuclear warheads (from over 500 to over 600 in 2024), a rapidly improving air force, and a world-leading hypersonic missile arsenal – the Pentagon highlighted the disruptive effects of the leadership turnover. A senior US defense official noted that frequent personnel changes can slow down projects and potentially create a ripple effect.

China’s response was swift and dismissive. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian denounced the report as biased and an excuse for maintaining US military hegemony, urging the US to abandon its “Cold War mentality.”

The report underscores the complex dynamics between China’s ambition for military modernization and its ongoing internal power struggles. While the anti-corruption campaign, spearheaded by President Xi Jinping, has netted numerous high-profile officials, critics suggest it also serves as a tool for purging political rivals. The US, meanwhile, continues to view China as its most significant geopolitical challenge, emphasizing its commitment to deterring potential aggression toward Taiwan.

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