Beijing (Web Desk):
In a major anti-corruption crackdown, China’s Communist Party has expelled nine senior military generals from both the party and the armed forces over suspected financial crimes, according to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Defense.
Most of the dismissed individuals were senior-ranking generals and members of the party’s Central Committee, the influential body responsible for key political decisions. Among those expelled are He Weidong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission—the second-highest ranking officer in the Chinese military—and Wang Houbin, commander of the Rocket Force.
The move comes just days before a major party convention, where the Central Committee is set to discuss China’s economic development agenda and elect new members.
British media reports suggest that while the Chinese government frames the action as part of President Xi Jinping’s long-running anti-corruption campaign, Western analysts view the purge as politically motivated, potentially aimed at consolidating power and tightening control over the military.
He Weidong was last seen in public in March, and his prolonged absence had already sparked speculation about his possible detention amid internal investigations into senior military officials.
The Ministry of Defense stated that the expelled officers were involved in serious violations of party discipline, including embezzlement and other grave offenses. The statement emphasized that the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and discipline within the armed forces.
This high-level purge marks one of the most significant shake-ups in China’s military leadership in recent years.