BEIJING: In a stunning development, China's Defence Minister Dong Jun has reportedly come under investigation as part of an extensive anti-corruption effort that has been sweeping through the country's military ranks.

The Financial Times (FT) broke the news on November 27, citing multiple sources from current and former U.S. officials.

A Troubling Trend in Military Leadership

Should this report be substantiated, Dong will mark a troubling trend, becoming the third defence minister in a row—following in the footsteps of his predecessor Li Shangfu and former minister Wei Fenghe—to face severe allegations of corruption. This pattern raises significant questions about the integrity of leadership within the Chinese military.

Aggressive Anti-Corruption Campaign

China's armed forces, specifically the People's Liberation Army (PLA), have been engulfed in an aggressive anti-corruption campaign initiated by President Xi Jinping. Since last year, this crackdown has resulted in the dismissal of nine PLA generals and a number of executives within the aerospace defense sector, highlighting a systemic issue within the nation's defense establishment.

Dong's Controversial Tenure

Dong Jun, who formerly led the PLA Navy, took on the role of defence minister in December 2023. However, his term had already proven controversial; his predecessor Li Shangfu was removed just seven months into his appointment.

As the defence minister, Dong has played a pivotal role in engaging with international military affairs and has recently facilitated a slight thawing of U.S.-China military relations. Notably, he was involved in the first theatre-level commander talks between the two nations in September.

Reluctance to Engage with U.S. Leadership

Despite these diplomatic efforts, Dong has displayed a reluctance to engage with American military leadership. Just last week, during a meeting of defense ministers in Laos, he declined to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. This decision was justified by citing U.S. actions regarding Taiwan, a point that was branded as “unfortunate” by Secretary Austin.

Unusual Political Standing

Traditionally, China's defence minister is appointed to the Central Military Commission (CMC), which serves as the apex military decision-making body in the country. However, during a recent major reshuffle of Communist Party officials, Dong was notably not promoted to this influential body nor did he secure a position in the State Council, China's executive Cabinet—an unusual move that casts further doubt on his standing.

The Broader Implications of the Investigation

The recent concerns surrounding Dong are not isolated. It was disclosed earlier this year that his predecessors, Li and Wei Fenghe, faced similar fates. Li was accused of gathering 'huge sums of money' through bribery, while Wei has mysteriously dropped from the public eye post-resignation.

With President Xi Jinping reaffirming his resolve to eradicate corruption within the military, the gravity of this investigation and its implications for Dong and China's defense framework could be monumental. As developments unfold, many are left wondering: Will this scandal expose deeper corruption within the PLA, and what will it mean for China’s military posture globally?

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