In a striking revelation, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun is reportedly under investigation for corruption, making him the third consecutive individual in this position to face similar allegations. According to The Financial Times, citing U.S. officials, the ongoing probe is part of a broader anti-graft campaign targeting the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) under President Xi Jinping’s leadership.
The development underscores significant challenges for Xi, whose ambitions to modernize the Chinese military have been marred by persistent corruption scandals within its ranks. The allegations, which remain unconfirmed by Chinese authorities, have sparked international concern about the structural integrity and combat readiness of the PLA.
If confirmed, Admiral Dong Jun would follow in the footsteps of his predecessors, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, both of whom were expelled from the Communist Party amid corruption investigations. These consecutive scandals paint a troubling picture of systemic issues within China’s military leadership.
Predecessors Under Scrutiny:
- Wei Fenghe
- Served as defense minister from 2018 to 2023.
- Previously led the PLA Rocket Force, overseeing advanced weapons systems.
- Accused of leveraging his position to secure personal benefits in personnel arrangements.
- Li Shangfu
- Appointed as defense minister in March 2023, dismissed just seven months later.
- Investigated for allegedly accepting bribes related to military procurement.
Both officials are now expected to face prosecution, adding to the growing list of high-ranking military officials ensnared by Xi’s anti-corruption drive. The Rocket Force itself, a crucial component of China’s nuclear arsenal, has come under intense scrutiny, with its former chief and chief of staff removed earlier this year.
The Case of Admiral Dong Jun
Admiral Dong Jun, a former chief of the PLA Navy, assumed the role of defense minister in December 2023. His tenure began under a cloud of suspicion, as he was notably absent from the Central Military Commission (CMC)—China’s top military decision-making body—a development considered unusual for someone in his position.
- Dong was last seen internationally on November 21, 2024, at the 11th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Laos.
- During the event, he declined a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, citing tensions over Taiwan.
- Despite this, Dong had played a key role earlier in the year in improving U.S.-China military relations, participating in high-level talks in September.
The allegations against Dong remain unspecified, and he has yet to make any public statement. The Chinese Foreign Ministry dismissed reports of his investigation as “just shadow-chasing,” reflecting Beijing’s efforts to downplay the issue.
President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign, launched in 2012, initially garnered praise for its commitment to clean governance. However, critics argue the campaign has become a tool for consolidating power and eliminating political rivals. Within the military, the crackdown underscores deeper challenges in Xi’s ambition to transform the PLA into a “world-class” fighting force by 2050.
Xi’s Vision for the Military:
- Modernization of military technology and infrastructure.
- Enhanced loyalty to the Communist Party.
- Strengthened combat readiness to assert territorial claims, particularly over Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Xi has repeatedly emphasized the need to root out corruption, stating that “the gun barrels should always be in the hands of those who are loyal and reliable to the party.” However, the recent string of scandals reveals the scale of corruption embedded in the military-industrial complex.
Corruption Within the PLA: A Systemic Problem
The corruption scandals in the defense ministry are part of a broader pattern affecting China’s military and defense industry. Beyond individual officials, state-owned enterprises involved in military production have also faced investigations. In December 2023, three senior officials from missile defense organizations were removed from their positions amid corruption allegations.
- PLA Rocket Force Scandal:
- Reports of missile silos with defective lids.
- Incidents of missiles being filled with water instead of fuel.
- Impact on Military Modernization:
- Corruption erodes trust in military leadership.
- Misallocation of resources delays critical advancements in technology.
Such incidents raise questions about the combat readiness of the PLA, particularly at a time when China is escalating military pressure on Taiwan and asserting dominance in the South China Sea.
The widespread corruption within the PLA has not gone unnoticed by international observers. U.S. intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the situation, recognizing the potential strategic ramifications.
- The PLA’s corruption scandals could undermine its ability to project power effectively.
- U.S.-China military relations remain tense, with Taiwan as a significant flashpoint.
- Weaknesses in China’s military infrastructure could embolden rivals in the Indo-Pacific region.
Bloomberg recently reported that systemic issues within the PLA’s Rocket Force have raised alarms internationally, as these forces are crucial to China’s nuclear deterrent capabilities.
Xi Jinping
Despite his efforts to enforce discipline and eradicate corruption, Xi faces significant obstacles in achieving his vision for the PLA. The anti-corruption campaign has exposed deep-seated problems that cannot be easily resolved through top-down enforcement alone.
Structural Issues:
- Corruption appears deeply entrenched in the military-industrial complex.
- A lack of transparency and accountability exacerbates the problem.
- The high turnover of senior officials creates instability within military leadership.
These challenges not only hinder Xi’s military modernization ambitions but also raise broader concerns about his governance model, which prioritizes loyalty to the Communist Party over meritocratic decision-making.
As the PLA continues to grapple with these corruption scandals, the fundamental question remains: Can China’s military truly transform into a world-class force while battling such pervasive institutional corruption?
Xi’s approach to reforming the PLA has relied heavily on purges and political loyalty tests. However, experts argue that meaningful change will require systemic reforms, including greater transparency, improved oversight, and a shift toward merit-based promotions.
- Reform Success:
- A restructured, corruption-free military that aligns with Xi’s vision.
- Strengthened international confidence in China’s military capabilities.
- Stagnation:
- Continued scandals erode the credibility of military leadership.
- Delays in modernization efforts weaken China’s strategic position.
