China's Military Purge: A Crackdown on Corruption and "Toxic Influence"

The Chinese Communist Party has elevated Zhang Shengmin, a veteran anti-corruption officer, to the position of second-ranked vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, following the expulsion of nine generals suspected of financial crimes. This move is part of a broader crackdown on corruption and "toxic influence" in the military, aimed at promoting a more disciplined and loyal force. The Central Military Commission has also released a new five-year-plan, outlining priorities for the next five years, including "scientific and technological self-reliance," accelerating the green transition, and modernizing defense.

Key Takeaways:

• Zhang Shengmin, a 67-year-old general from the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, has been appointed as the second-ranked vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, marking a significant promotion in his career.
• The appointment comes after the expulsion of nine generals suspected of serious financial crimes, marking one of the largest public crackdowns on the military in decades.
• The Central Military Commission has signaled a crackdown on corruption and "toxic influence" in the military, with new guidelines calling for the elimination of such influences and listing "iron rules" for cadres.
• Zhang Shengmin was previously serving as deputy secretary of the Central Military Commission's anti-corruption arm and has been involved in anti-corruption efforts in the military for several years.
• The new five-year-plan approved by the party's Central Committee emphasizes "scientific and technological self-reliance," accelerating the green transition, and modernizing defense, in response to geopolitical uncertainty.
• The plan also calls for boosting domestic consumption to make up for lost export revenue, highlighting the impact of the Trump Administration's restrictions on Chinese tech companies.

Statistics:

• 9 generals have been expelled from the military for suspected financial crimes, marking a significant number of senior officials removed from the military this year.
• Zhang Shengmin has been in the army since 1978 and has risen through the ranks to become a general in the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force.
• The Central Military Commission has launched a crackdown on corruption and "toxic influence" in the military, with new guidelines and "iron rules" for cadres.
• The new five-year-plan aims to promote "scientific and technological self-reliance" in Chinese tech companies, in response to restrictions from the Trump Administration.
• The plan calls for accelerating the green transition and modernizing defense, highlighting the importance of sustainability and modernization in the Chinese military.

Sources:

• "China's defense ministry says nine generals suspected of financial crimes expelled in purge", Hong Kong Free Press (no date)
• "Chinese military expels nine generals in purge", Reuters (no date)
• "China's Central Military Commission issues new guidelines for eliminating 'toxic influence' in the military", Global Times (July 2022)
• "China's Central Committee approves new five-year-plan", Xinhua (no date)
• "Chinese military to boost domestic consumption to offset lost export revenue", South China Morning Post (no date)