China expels top generals in anti-corruption campaign
In a significant development on October 17, 2025, China expelled two high-ranking military officials, General He Weidong and Admiral Miao Hua, from the Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as part of an ongoing anti-corruption drive. This move marks the most senior-level purge within the military since the campaign began in 2023.
General He Weidong, who held the position of vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and was a member of the Politburo, has been under investigation for serious violations of party discipline and suspected duty-related crimes involving exceptionally large sums of money. Admiral Miao Hua, formerly the PLA’s top political officer, had been under investigation since 2024. Both officials, along with seven other senior military officers, have been expelled from the Communist Party and the military. Their cases have been referred to military prosecutors for further action.
The expulsion of these senior officials comes just before a key political meeting, the Fourth Plenary Session of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, where President Xi Jinping is expected to fill vacancies in the Central Military Commission and reinforce his leadership. The timing of the purge suggests a dual purpose: addressing corruption within the military and consolidating power ahead of the upcoming political meeting.
This action is part of a broader effort by President Xi Jinping to root out corruption within the military and enforce political loyalty. Since 2012, thousands of officials have been purged, including high-profile political rivals. The latest purge underscores the ongoing commitment to these objectives.
