Chinese Minister of National Defense, Dong Jun, made a public appearance today in Shanghai, where he met with delegation leaders from various countries attending a conference. This marks Dong Jun’s first public appearance since reports surfaced ten days ago alleging his involvement in corruption, which led to an investigation. Earlier reports suggested that during the investigation, Dong Jun provided information that was unfavorable to Miao Hua, a former member of the military commission who was recently ousted, ensuring his temporary safety.
According to an announcement on the official website of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense on the 5th of December, Dong Jun held a collective meeting with delegation leaders attending the second Gulf of Guinea Security Situation Symposium in Shanghai. The announcement indicated that during the meeting, Dong Jun also mentioned Xi Jinping’s political term “the community of shared destiny between China and Africa.”
Last month on the 26th, the Financial Times of the United Kingdom cited statements from informed current and former American officials, reporting another corruption scandal within the Chinese military, with authorities launching an investigation into Dong Jun.
In response to the Financial Times report, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the claims as “baseless” during a routine press briefing on the 27th.
On the 28th, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, Wu Qian, denied the rumors of an investigation into Dong Jun during a routine press briefing, labeling the reports as “fabrications by malicious individuals.”
On the same day, Wu Qian also announced that Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission and Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission, had been suspended for investigation due to “serious violations of discipline.” Official media later released a notice regarding Miao Hua’s suspension for investigation.
Miao Hua is widely seen as a patron of Dong Jun by many observers.
Yao Cheng, a former Chinese Navy colonel who leaked the information regarding Miao Hua’s detention a week prior, revealed on his personal media channel on November 28th that he obtained the latest information through military channels. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Military Discipline Inspection Commission have formed a joint investigative team to probe the issues related to Miao Hua, focusing on navy personnel and individuals from the Eastern Theater Command who have connections to Miao Hua. The two previous Political Commissars of the Navy, Qin Shengxiang and Yuan Huazhi, as well as Minister of National Defense Dong Jun, have all provided testimony that is detrimental to Miao Hua.
Yao Cheng stated that the three individuals mentioned above are currently residing in the Navy compound and have not been taken away, indicating that they are still under investigation as routine procedure.
Yao Cheng further explained that Dong Jun was investigated on November 21st, and after six days of investigation, Miao Hua’s investigation was announced on the 27th, relying on testimonies obtained from Miao Hua’s close associates.
At that time, Yao Cheng speculated that based on the official response to the rumors surrounding Dong Jun’s investigation, the authorities may not have taken concrete actions against Dong Jun yet.