The purge of the vice-chair of China’s Central Military Commission alongside eight other high-ranking officers signals a deepening anti-graft campaign under Xi Jinping and a strategic shake-up of the People’s Liberation Army’s political landscape.
Key Points at a Glance
- China’s Defence Ministry announced the expulsion of He Weidong, vice-chair of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) and eight other senior military officials, on suspicion of “serious misconduct” and corruption involving very large sums.
- He Weidong is the highest-ranking military figure targeted so far in the ongoing anti-graft campaign within China’s armed forces.
- The dismissed officers have been referred to military prosecutors after the Defence Ministry said investigations revealed “grave nature” crimes with “extremely harmful consequences.”
- All nine were expelled from the ruling Communist Party of China and removed from military roles. Most were members of the Party’s Central Committee, strengthening the purge’s political significance.
- The move comes just ahead of a major Party meeting in Beijing set to map out China’s national strategy for the next five years — suggesting the purge may also serve broader political realignment.
- Analysts say what began as an anti-corruption campaign has increasingly been used to enforce loyalty to Xi Jinping, especially within the military and Party ranks.
What This Means for China’s Military and Politics
1. Consolidation of Xi’s control
The removal of top-military leaders serves not just as a corruption crackdown, but also as a signal that loyalty to Xi Jinping and the Party supercedes personal power bases in the military. Expulsions at this level suggest internal recalibration of authority.
2. Impact on military leadership and readiness
He Weidong’s former command included key responsibility over operations toward Taiwan through his leadership of the Eastern Theatre Command. His absence and the turnover of senior officers could reshape command dynamics during a sensitive period for China’s defence posture.
3. Anti-graft campaign’s dual role
While public messaging emphasises rooting out corruption, the campaign also works as a political instrument to purge rivals and elevate trusted officials. The coincidence of the purge with upcoming high-level Party sessions underscores its strategic dimension.
4. Signal to lower tiers and international observers
By targeting officials at the highest echelons, Beijing is sending a warning to other military and Party officials about consequences of disloyalty or misconduct. For global watchers, it indicates China is willing to undertake major internal shifts even in critical sectors like defence.
Key Figures & Related Entities
- He Weidong – Former vice-chair of the CMC and Politburo member; now expelled.
- Miao Hua – Director of the CMC’s Political Work Department; one of the eight additional officials removed.
- Central Military Commission (CMC) – China’s highest military body, chaired by Xi Jinping and pivotal for military and political power.
Sidebar: Timeline & Context
- 2012 – Xi Jinping becomes China’s top leader; launches an extensive anti-corruption drive.
- 2022 – He Weidong rises to the Politburo and vice-chair of the CMC.
- Nov 2024 – Miao Hua placed under investigation.
- Oct 2025 – The announcement marks the first time the highest-ranking PLA official has been publicly expelled in this wave.
Final Take
This purge within the Chinese military is more than just a corruption clean-up — it is a strategic reinforcement of Xi Jinping’s authority, a restructuring of military leadership at a key moment, and a reminder that in China’s political-military ecosystem, loyalty and alignment with core leadership are indispensable. The ripple effects may be felt in both China’s internal stability and its external military posture.
