China’s defence minister placed under investigation for corruption, Financial Times reports

Reuters

China’s Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun is under investigation in the recent corruption scandal involving the top ranks of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to Financial Times.

Dong, who was appointed in December 2023 after the dismissal of his predecessor General Li Shangfu for corruption, is the third consecutive defence minister to face such allegations.

US officials indicate the investigation is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign led by President Xi Jinping, targeting the PLA. The probe follows similar actions against General Li and former defence minister Wei Fenghe, both also implicated in corruption. 

The investigation into Dong coincides with strained US-China relations. Last week, Dong declined a meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at a defence summit in Laos, which China attributed to recent US arms sales to Taiwan. This tension follows a year of restored military communication between the two nations after channels were severed in 2022.

Xi’s anti-corruption drive has also resulted in the removal of senior PLA Rocket Forces officers and appears to reflect concerns about the military's readiness, including its capability to meet the 2027 target for a potential Taiwan invasion.

China’s foreign ministry has dismissed the investigation reports as baseless speculation.

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