China has expelled two of its highest-ranking military officials—He Weidong and Miao Hua—as part of an intensifying anti-corruption drive that continues to reshape the country’s military and political leadership. The move comes just days ahead of a key Communist Party meeting in Beijing focused on long-term economic and strategic planning.
In a statement released Friday, October 17, Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang confirmed that He Weidong, vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), was among nine senior military figures removed for “seriously violating discipline.” He had not appeared in public since March, fueling speculation about his fate. Zhang did not reveal He’s current status or whereabouts.
Also dismissed was Miao Hua, the former head of the military’s political work department, who was officially removed from his position in June. State media reported that eight of the nine officials were also expelled from the Communist Party and stripped of their roles on its elite Central Committee.
Zhang said the expulsions underscored the leadership’s firm stance against corruption:
“The severe punishment of He Weidong, Miao Hua, and others once again demonstrates the Party Central Committee and the CMC’s unwavering resolve to persevere in the fight against corruption,” he said.
He described the crackdown as a “significant achievement” in the ongoing campaign, claiming it has contributed to a “more pure, consolidated, cohesive and combat-ready People’s Army.”
Since taking power in 2012, President Xi Jinping has made anti-corruption a cornerstone of his rule, calling graft “the biggest threat to the Communist Party.” Supporters argue the campaign has bolstered accountability and discipline, while critics say it has also served to eliminate political rivals and tighten Xi’s control.
The military has been a key focus of the campaign. In 2023, former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was dismissed after just seven months in office and later expelled from the Party for alleged bribery and disciplinary violations.
The timing of the latest expulsions is significant, coming just before the fourth plenum—a four-day, high-level Communist Party meeting set to begin Monday. The session will map out China’s economic and strategic priorities through 2030, with expected emphasis on technological self-sufficiency, military modernization, and economic resilience amid mounting external and domestic challenges.
Zhang concluded by stressing that the purge sends a clear message: no individual, regardless of rank, is above Party discipline or accountability.
