2025-04-10T20:38:39.000Z

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In a bold move signaling the ongoing commitment to military reform and anti-corruption, President Xi Jinping has removed General He Weidong from his position as the second-ranking officer in the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). This marks the most significant action taken in Xi's extensive military anti-corruption campaign and represents the first time in sixty years that a general in this crucial role has been dismissed.

The Central Military Commission (CMC), which is headed by Xi Jinping and composed of six members, has seen General He Weidongwho was the junior of the two vice-chairsdismissed in recent weeks. This decision was confirmed by five sources with knowledge of the situation, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations against him.

General He Weidong held multiple key positions, being not only the PLAs second-highest officer but also the third in command of the entire Chinese military and a member of the Communist Partys Politburo. His dismissal adds to a growing list of military officials that Xi has purged amid claims of corruption, reflecting an ongoing struggle to maintain integrity within the ranks of the armed forces.

His removal comes just six months after the suspension of another high-ranking military officer, Miao Hua, who was one of the six top officers in the CMC and faced similar accusations of serious violations of discipline. In the context of China's military, this term frequently denotes corruption, hinting at a pervasive issue that Xi aims to tackle decisively.

However, the implications of He Weidongs ousting are far-reaching, given his seniority, making it a more alarming event compared to Miao's suspension. Sources close to the situation have indicated that He Weidong's removal is tied to corruption allegations, which have increasingly become a focal point in Xi's military reforms.

Speculation surrounding He Weidongs fate had been rampant prior to his dismissal, particularly due to his conspicuous absence from several high-profile events typical for a CMC vice-chair. Most notably, he did not attend a recent meeting of the Politburo that focused on Chinese diplomatic matters, where his counterpart Zhang Youxia was present. Additionally, He Weidong was absent from an annual tree-planting ceremony led by Xi, which had seen his participation in previous years.

Current and former U.S. officials, as well as other knowledgeable figures, have confirmed that General He has indeed been purged. Reports suggest that he is currently being interrogated by authorities following his detention, which adds another layer of intrigue and concern regarding internal military politics.

Neil Thomas, an expert on elite Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, stated that He Weidongs dismissal marks the first time since General He Long was ousted in 1967 that a uniformed vice-chair of the CMC has been removed. Thomas remarked, The fact that Xi Jinping can purge a CMC vice-chair shows how serious he is about stamping out corruption in the military. Xi wants to turn the PLA into an effective fighting force beyond Chinas borders but also into a complete servant to his domestic agenda.

Thomas further emphasized the PLAs fundamental role in guaranteeing the Communist Party's rule in China, especially during periods of high domestic uncertainty, such as the economic challenges posed by the ongoing US-China trade war.

In the past two years, Xi Jinping has taken decisive actions against several high-ranking military officials, including the heads of the PLA Rocket Force who oversee Chinas nuclear arsenal. He has also removed two defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, as well as Qin Gang, a former close aide who served as foreign minister. While the Financial Times reported that Dong Jun was also dismissed as defense minister, sources indicate that he underwent an initial investigation and has since been cleared, recently engaging with the chief of the Pakistani air force in Beijing.

In light of these developments, both the Chinese defense ministry and foreign ministry have been approached for comments, highlighting the ongoing public interest and scrutiny surrounding the militarys internal dynamics and Xi Jinpings anti-corruption campaign.