China's Defence Ministry Pledges to Continue Its Fight Against Military Corruption

China's defence ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to its ongoing campaign against corruption in the military. The announcement comes in response to recent speculation regarding a reshuffling of leaders within Rocket Force, the department responsible for overseeing the country's nuclear arsenal. Defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian stated that the fight against corruption has achieved significant success and has been thoroughly consolidated. He emphasized that the Chinese military strictly adheres to the rule of law and has zero tolerance for corruption and malpractice.

Wu further asserted that the campaign against corruption will continue as long as the conditions for such practices persist. In late July, China announced the appointment of former navy commander Wang Houbin as the new head of Rocket Force amid reports of a corruption probe. The removal of Wang's predecessor, Li Yuchao, had raised questions, as state media provided no explanation for his absence. This leadership change occurred shortly after President Xi Jinping called for enhanced oversight of the military and the establishment of a modern system for military governance.

Coinciding with Xi's call, the military department responsible for procuring China's weapons launched a crackdown on corrupt procurement practices dating back several years. The Rocket Force, a relatively new unit of the People's Liberation Army, was created in early 2016 as part of a major military restructuring. It is tasked with overseeing China's conventional and nuclear strategic missiles, making it capable of both deterrence and offensive actions. A US intelligence report released earlier this year highlighted the Rocket Force's conventional missile capabilities as posing a serious threat to US forces and bases in East Asia.

In summary, the Chinese defence ministry's commitment to eradicating corruption within the military remains unwavering. The recent reshuffling in the Rocket Force leadership and the crackdown on corrupt procurement practices serve as concrete steps towards achieving this goal. The continual efforts to strengthen military governance, as outlined by President Xi Jinping, indicate a comprehensive approach to maintaining discipline and integrity within the Chinese armed forces.