Infighting Continues: Dozens of Military Officials Facing Purges May Be Absent from Two Sessions

The Chinese Communist Party’s “Two Sessions” will begin on March 4. Prior to the meetings, over a dozen senior military leaders within the CCP have been implicated in corruption investigations, with the anti-corruption campaign extending its reach into the military-industrial complex. It is anticipated that more than ten senior military leaders will be absent from this year’s Two Sessions.

In recent years, Xi Jinping has utilized large-scale anti-corruption campaigns to purge higher echelons of the military, consolidating his control over the armed forces. The anti-corruption efforts within the military also reflect power struggles within the CCP.

On February 28, it was officially announced that Jin Zhuanglong, the Party Secretary of the CCP’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Minister, was relieved of his Party Secretary duties. Jin Zhuanglong had previously served as the Executive Deputy Director of the Central Committee’s Civil-Military Integration Office and had also been at the helm of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, referred to by the media as the “leader of domestically produced large aircraft.”

Jin Zhuanglong has been absent from key events throughout this year.

Jin Zhuanglong, born in March 1964, is also a member of the 20th Central Committee of the CCP. He has held positions such as Director of the Shanghai Aerospace Bureau, Vice General Manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, General Manager and Chairman of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China. In August 2017, he became the Executive Deputy Director of the Central Committee’s Civil-Military Integration Office, and in July 2022, he took on the role of Party Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, later assuming the position of Minister in September of the same year.

On February 24, it was reported that Tan Ruisong, the former Party Secretary and Chairman of China Aviation Industry Corporation, was expelled from the Party due to serious violations of discipline and law.

He was accused of embezzling a large amount of public property through corruption within the military-industrial complex.

Tan Ruisong served as Chairman and Party Secretary of China Aviation Industry Corporation Limited in May 2018 and stepped down in March 2023.

Tan Ruisong was accused of obstructing investigations, engaging in transactions involving power and sex, embezzling substantial public funds through corruption within the military-industrial complex, engaging in corrupt exchanges of power and money, exploiting his position for personal gain in enterprises’ restructuring and acquisitions, project contracts, and employee recruitment, and illegally accepting substantial amounts of money.

China Aviation Industry Corporation is a major defense contractor and aircraft manufacturer, ranked among the Fortune Global 500 list.

During the past two years, both former Chinese Defense Ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu have faced disciplinary actions. Li Shangfu was implicated while in office, while Wei Fenghe was targeted after stepping down. Wei Fenghe served as the Chinese Defense Minister from March 2018 to March 2023, having previously been the Commander of the Rocket Force.

In the last two years, over 14 senior officials have faced repercussions. In 2023, General Li Yuchao and his deputy, Liu Guangbin, of the Chinese Rocket Force were relieved of their duties. In an ongoing second wave of cleansing actions, four more generals, eight colonels, and two majors have been implicated. At least three senior executives in the aviation industry have had their qualifications as members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference revoked.

Analysts suggest that the current anti-corruption campaign reflects internal power struggles within the CCP.

On November 28, 2024, Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission and Director of Political Work, was officially announced to be under “suspension for investigation” for suspected serious violations of discipline by Xi Jinping.

“The purge likely reflects growing challenges from other leaders within the Party towards Xi Jinping. Military leaders suspected of not being loyal enough to Xi Jinping are likely among the first to be dismissed,” said Yoichiro Sato, a professor of Asia-Pacific studies at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, to Voice of America.

“Corruption within the military is not a new phenomenon. Accusations of corruption are a tool for Xi Jinping to purge potential challengers to his rule,” Sato added.