Beijing purges its Rocket Force as its ‘zero tolerance' policy against corruption continues
Chinese authorities have released a statement for the first time, following speculation over the reshuffle of the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force and the ouster of former Defence Minister Wei Fenghe. In the press release, they acknowledge changes among top military leaders, with some officers removed for failing to show due loyalty to President Xi Jinping. Nevertheless, the campaign continues to avoid the limelight.
Beijing (AsiaNews) – China’s Ministry of Defence issued a statement about its policy of “zero tolerance against corruption". This follows a recent reshuffle in its Rocket Force, a key part of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and rumours about the disappearance of former Defence Minister Wei Fenghe, whose fate is shrouded in mystery.
The press release is the first time Chinese authorities refer to turmoil among the country’s top military brass over the summer.
When asked at the Ministry of Defence’s monthly press conference about changes in the Rocket Force and the whereabouts of Wei Fenghe, spokesman Wu Qian said that all corrupt officials, be they civilian and military, would be dealt with severely.
Although Wu added that “the fight against corruption is always on the way” and remains a priority for the authorities, his remarks were not posted on the Ministry’s website.
The first inkling of trouble came in late July when the Rocket Force saw an unusual reshuffle at the top.
Rocket Force Commander General Li Yuchao and its political commissar, General Xu Zhongbo, were replaced by two officers, one from the navy the another from the air force, neither of whom had any background in Rocket Force, which is unprecedented.
Back in March, Defence Minister Wei Fenghe was also replaced by Li Shangfu, who hitherto was in charge of PLA weaponry and equipment.
The replaced senior officers have not been seen for months, while official media have not mentioned their whereabouts.
Meanwhile, General Wu Guohua, the Rocket Force’s former deputy commander, allegedly committed suicide at home in early July, which official media reported nearly a month later as death from an unspecified illness.
According to speculation, the replaced officers were under investigation by the army's anti-corruption body.
General Wei Fenghe became the Rocket Force’s first commander in 2015 (until 2017) when it became an independent branch of the military after President Xi Jinping announced PLA reforms in 2015.
The Rocket Force is the PLA’s most sensitive component, in charge of China’s nuclear arsenal and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Xi's purge in the Rocket Force started after Wei's retirement, noting that the latter might have been targeted for tor trying to hinder the investigation.
In late July, the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission released a statement announcing that it was gathering evidence about corruption in procurement and bidding, as well as leaks of classified information.
Some analysts believe China’s military has become a rent-seeking, self-interested body via purchasing activities, taking advantage of a booming military budget.
Unlike the high-profile anti-corruption campaign of the early years following Xi's rise to power, Chinese authorities now tend not to respond to rumours about sacked military officers.
Rumours about the fate of retired PLA Air Force general of Liu Yazhou surfaced two years ago but it is not yet known whether he was arrested and on what charges.
Last week, the European Union's senior Asia policy official, Gunnar Wiegand, called on Beijing to explain the disappearance of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang.
Instead, China has refrained from commenting on the removal of this senior official, once the president's favourite.
No doubt frequent reshuffles under Xi's leadership reflect the uncertainties of his policies.
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02/04/2009
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