China is investigating its defense minister, Dong Jun, for alleged corruption as part of a broader crackdown on graft in its armed forces. This move comes amid fears that corruption may impact China’s ability to wage war effectively.
Background on Anti-Corruption Purge in Military
China’s military has undergone a sweeping anti-corruption purge since last year. This comes amid fears that graft may affect China’s ability to wage a future war, as reported by Bloomberg this year.
Recent Developments
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Dong Jun was appointed defense minister in December following the surprise removal of Li Shangfu just seven months into the job.
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Li Shangfu was later expelled from the Communist Party for offenses including suspected bribery, according to Chinese state media.
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His predecessor, Wei Fenghe, too, was kicked out from the party over alleged corruption.
Investigation Details
The investigation into Dong Jun is part of a broader probe into military corruption. If confirmed, he would be the third consecutive serving or former Chinese defense minister to be investigated for alleged corruption.
Context and Relevance
Beijing has deepened its crackdown on corruption in its armed forces over the past year. This move comes amid concerns that corruption may impact China’s ability to wage war effectively. The investigation into Dong Jun highlights the ongoing efforts to root out corruption within the Chinese military.
