China’s Defense Minister, Admiral Dong Jun, has become the latest target of President Xi Jinping’s relentless anti-corruption campaign. Reports have surfaced that Dong is under investigation for corruption, joining a growing list of high-ranking officials implicated in systemic graft within China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This development raises concerns about the integrity of Beijing’s vetting processes for top military positions.
Although the specific allegations against Dong remain unclear, U.S. officials have confirmed his probe to be underway. His downfall underscores the ongoing purge of senior military figures but also highlights persistent corruption issues within the PLA. Despite these reports, Beijing has not officially acknowledged the investigation and dismissed them as baseless during a recent press briefing.
Dong Jun assumed the role of defense minister in December 2023 after serving as head of the PLA Navy. He played a crucial role in fostering dialogue with foreign counterparts and was instrumental in improving U.S.-China military relations. However, his tenure has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption, revealing potential flaws in Beijing’s internal vetting processes.
Neil Thomas from the Asia Society Policy Institute criticized Beijing’s vetting mechanisms, deeming Dong’s investigation “another spectacular failure.” Although not part of Xi Jinping’s inner circle, this probe is embarrassing and indicative of broader corruption issues within the PLA, according to Thomas.
Interestingly enough, Dong is now the third consecutive defense minister to face corruption allegations. His two predecessors were also removed from their positions due to similar charges. Li Shangfu lasted only seven months before being expelled from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for bribery. Wei Fenghe faced similar charges after serving as defense minister from 2018 to 2023.
The CCP accused both Li and Wei of betraying trust and causing significant damage to senior leaders’ image within the party and the Central Military Commission. They were alleged to have accepted substantial bribes and manipulated personnel appointments.
Experts have expressed concern about these ongoing scandals, which reflect poorly on the military’s leadership. Dylan Loh from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore noted that the military’s historical ties with the business world make it vulnerable to corruption. The current wave of corruption probes has also reached the PLA Rocket Force, responsible for overseeing China’s nuclear arsenal, further highlighting internal issues within the PLA.
Victor Shih, an expert on China’s elite politics, suggested that Dong’s naval career, which involved managing billions of dollars in procurement, might have contributed to internal rivalries and mutual recriminations between officers. This conjecture implies that internal disputes may be contributing to the ongoing purges.
President Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has led to investigations targeting millions of CCP members since its inception in 2013. While its stated goal is to root out corruption at all levels of government and the military, critics argue that it is also a means for Xi to eliminate his political rivals.
The investigation into Dong Jun comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and the U.S., particularly concerning Taiwan. Dong recently skipped a scheduled meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at an ASEAN Defense Ministers’ summit in Laos as a response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. This incident underscores the broader geopolitical strains between the two nations.