China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is facing continued turmoil following the suspension and investigation of a senior officer for corruption. The Chinese defense ministry confirmed the move, adding that Admiral Miao Hua, a prominent member of the Central Military Commission (CMC), is being investigated for “serious violations of discipline.”
The CMC, which is the highest military body in China, is chaired by President Xi Jinping, who has been spearheading a major anti-corruption campaign within the military. Miao, 69, holds a significant position as the head of the Political Work Department of the CMC.
His suspension is notable as he is widely considered a close ally of Xi Jinping, having worked alongside him during their early years in Fujian province in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Miao's investigation is part of an ongoing anti-corruption effort within the PLA that has intensified since Xi took power in 2012. According to spokesperson Wu Qian, Miao’s suspension is due to "serious violations of discipline," a phrase often used to refer to corruption.
The Chinese government has long used this terminology when addressing high-level corruption cases, and Miao’s fall from grace underscores the scale of Xi’s campaign.
Adding to the complexity of this case is the report that China’s Defense Minister, Dong Jun, is also under investigation for corruption.
This report was dismissed as “sheer fabrication” by a spokesperson from the Ministry of Defense, who expressed strong dissatisfaction over what it called "smears" against China’s leadership. Despite the official dismissal, speculation continues regarding the true extent of the corruption scandal affecting the PLA.
The investigation into Miao follows a wider series of purges within China’s military, particularly focusing on the Rocket Force, which oversees the nation’s nuclear and missile programs.
The crackdown has resulted in the removal of several high-ranking generals, including former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe. Both men were expelled from the Communist Party in June due to corruption charges, signaling the gravity of the government’s efforts to root out corruption in the armed forces.
As the PLA faces this continued instability within its senior ranks, President Xi's broader objective to modernize the military and strengthen its global posture remains at the forefront of his leadership.
Xi has invested heavily in upgrading China’s military capabilities, with billions of dollars directed toward acquiring advanced equipment and enhancing combat readiness.
The ongoing turmoil at the senior officer level, however, poses challenges for the smooth operation of the PLA and Xi’s ambitions to develop a "world-class" military force.
This crisis is not confined to the leadership of the PLA; it also extends to other sectors within the military-industrial complex. Over the past year, a number of senior officers and aerospace executives have been removed from their positions, most of them linked to the Rocket Force or military equipment.
The purge has left many wondering about the broader implications for China’s defense strategy and its ability to assert its territorial claims in the region.
One of the most high-profile casualties of this purge was Li Shangfu, who disappeared from the public eye shortly after taking office as defense minister. Li was dismissed in October without an official explanation, shortly after an unexpected overhaul within the Rocket Force.
His successor, Dong, has had his own controversial appointment. Unlike his predecessors, Dong was not appointed to the Central Military Commission, a departure from long-standing tradition that reflects the growing consolidation of power under Xi Jinping.
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