Richard Saunders, Phnom Penh – Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to intensify his campaign against corruption in the armed forces, warning that disloyalty and graft will not be tolerated as Beijing faces mounting scrutiny over internal discipline and foreign espionage threats.
Speaking to delegates from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police on Saturday, Xi said the military must remain firmly loyal to the Communist Party and free of corrupt elements. He urged tighter oversight of financial flows, procurement, and quality control as China prepares to approve its next five-year plan later this month.
Xi launched a sweeping crackdown on graft after securing a third term in 2023, resulting in the removal of senior commanders, members of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and even two former defense ministers. Earlier this year, authorities opened an investigation into CMC vice chairman Zhang Youxia for suspected “serious violations of discipline and law,” with Western media reporting allegations of leaks tied to China’s nuclear program.
The campaign comes as the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has stepped up efforts to recruit informants within the PLA, releasing Chinese-language ads aimed at service members with access to sensitive military technology. Beijing has denounced the initiative, vowing to counter what it calls infiltration by “foreign anti-China forces.”
For Taiwan, Xi’s remarks underscore Beijing’s determination to consolidate control over its military at a time of heightened regional tensions. The anti-graft drive may also serve to reinforce Xi’s political dominance, ensuring that the PLA remains a reliable instrument of party authority.
