He Widong, the vice- chair of the powerful central military commission, attends the opening session of the National Peoples Congress at the great hall of the people in Beijing, China, on March 5, 2025. Associated Press
In a major move signaling President Xi Jinping’s continued push against corruption, China has expelled its second-highest-ranking general and eight other senior military officials from the Communist Party. The officials now face prosecution over serious misconduct involving massive sums of money, according to a statement released Friday by the Defense Ministry.
High-Ranking Military Shake-Up
General He Weidong, Vice-Chair of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), is the most senior figure yet to fall in the latest phase of China’s ongoing anti-graft campaign. He’s accused of “extremely serious crimes” related to corruption, a charge that marks a dramatic fall from grace for one of China’s top military leaders.
The Defense Ministry confirmed that all nine cases have been transferred to military prosecutors for review and potential criminal prosecution. The scale and seniority of the officials involved highlight the depth of corruption allegations within the country’s top defense ranks.
Months of Silence End in Dismissal
He Weidong, once seen as a trusted military leader, has not appeared in public for months — a common early sign of political trouble in China. Friday’s announcement officially confirmed his removal and expulsion from the Party.
Before his promotion to the CMC in 2022, He led the Eastern Theater Command, the division primarily responsible for operations around Taiwan, making him a key figure in China’s regional military strategy.
Other Senior Officials Dismissed
Among the eight others expelled is Miao Hua, Director of the CMC’s Political Work Department, who had been under investigation since November last year. Like He, Miao was a member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, a powerful 205-member body responsible for major policy decisions.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said the offenses were “of grave nature, with extremely harmful consequences,” though he stopped short of providing specific details.
Political Timing Ahead of Key Party Meeting
The announcement comes just days before a major Communist Party meeting in Beijing, where China’s top leadership will outline national goals for the next five years.
Analysts suggest the timing is strategic. Removing senior figures accused of corruption clears the way for new appointments within the Central Committee.
“This move is both a political show of force and a practical reshuffle,” noted Neil Thomas, a China expert at the Asia Society Policy Institute. “It allows Xi to elevate loyal members into full positions within the committee.”
A Signature Xi Jinping Policy
Since coming to power in 2012, President Xi Jinping has made anti-corruption a cornerstone of his leadership. The campaign has ensnared thousands of officials, including top generals and high-profile political figures, consolidating Xi’s control across military and government ranks.
Observers say that while the campaign has public support for addressing corruption, it also serves to tighten loyalty within the Communist Party and the military hierarchy.
Continued Purge of Military Leadership
The latest expulsions follow the removal of two former defense ministers, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, who were also accused of corruption last year. Their downfall, along with He Weidong’s, suggests that the anti-graft drive within China’s military establishment is far from over.
As Beijing prepares for its upcoming leadership meeting, the expulsion of nine senior military figures underscores Xi’s message of zero tolerance toward corruption — and his determination to maintain firm control over China’s armed forces.
