China’s Ministry of Defense investigates Central Military Commission member Miao Hua’s ‘serious violation of discipline’

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced on the 28th that a top general in the Chinese military has been subject to investigation and has been suspended.

The general in question is Admiral Miao Hua, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Military Commission.

Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Chen announced this at a regular press conference that day and explained, “We have decided to suspend his duties while the investigation is ongoing.”

The specific charges were not disclosed.

Spokesperson Wu also strongly denied the report in the Financial Times the previous day (27th) that Defense Minister Dong Jun was being investigated for corruption.

Spokesperson Wu condemned the report as “pure fabrication.”

◾️Time before personnel change

Major General Miao, who was announced as a subject of investigation, is an important figure within the Chinese military, serving as head of the Political Operations Department of the Military Commission along with the Central Military Commission.

The ‘South China Morning Post’ explained on this day (28th) that the ‘serious violation of discipline’ presented as the reason for the investigation generally implies ‘corruption’.

This announcement came ahead of the monthly Politburo meeting, where changes to the highest-level personnel within the party are discussed.

◾️ Expanding corruption investigations

The Chinese Communist Party has been massively expanding its corruption investigation into the People’s Liberation Army since last year.

Li Yuchao, commander of the Rocket Force, resigned due to a corruption scandal, and former Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and the first commander of the Rocket Force, Zhou Yaning, also resigned in succession.

In October last year, Minister of National Defense Lee Shang-fu stepped down after only seven months in office, making him the shortest serving Minister of Defense in history.

Accordingly, unusually, two seats remain vacant in the seven-member Central Military Commission, led by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President, as Chairman.

Excluding President Xi and the two Vice Presidents, there are only two current members.

This is the first time in decades that this situation has unfolded.

◾️ “The guns are in the hands of those who are loyal to the party”

This year, President Xi has repeatedly emphasized loyalty to the People’s Liberation Army, especially the party within its leadership.

At the Central Military Commission’s political work meeting last June, he said, “We must make it clear that the muzzle should always be in the hands of people who are loyal to the party and can be trusted.”

He then emphasized, “There is no place for corrupt elements in the military.”

The South China Morning Post pointed out that this move to emphasize loyalty is “taking place in an atmosphere where China values ​​ideology to ensure the party’s firm control over the military while trying to achieve its goal of becoming a military powerhouse amid external pressure.” Yes.

◾️ Party-controlled military

The People’s Liberation Army is part of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China.

China’s Ministry of National Defense does not have command authority over the People’s Liberation Army and is only responsible for military administration.

The head of the Ministry of National Defense is a general of the People’s Liberation Army, and mainly handles external affairs such as meetings with other countries and attendance at international events.

VOA News