China expels nine top generals in sweeping corruption crackdown

China has dismissed nine senior military officials, including one high-ranking general, and expelled them from the Communist Party amid an ongoing anti-corruption investigation involving allegations of large-scale embezzlement and financial misconduct.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang confirmed that the cases of the accused officers will be handed over to military prosecutors for further investigation.

“The offenses were of a grave nature, with extremely harmful consequences,” Zhang said, without disclosing specific details of the charges.

Among those dismissed is He Weidong, the former vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), who has not appeared publicly for several months.

His absence had fueled speculation about internal investigations. Weidong, promoted to the CMC in 2022, was also a member of the 24-member Politburo, the Communist Party’s second-most influential decision-making body after the Standing Committee.

He was previously tasked with overseeing potential military operations in Taiwan while leading the Eastern Theater Command.

Another key figure under investigation is Miao Hua, director of the CMC’s Political Work Department, who is among eight other senior officers facing scrutiny for high-profile corruption charges.

The dismissals come ahead of a major party meeting next month, during which the 205-member Central Committee is expected to review the country’s next five-year plan for political and economic development.

According to the Associated Press, President Xi Jinping’s decade-long anti-graft campaign has repeatedly targeted high-ranking officials within the military and party apparatus since he took power in 2012, part of a broader effort to consolidate authority and curb systemic corruption.