In recent times, there have been major adjustments in the top positions of several Chinese military state-owned enterprises, with the whereabouts of the previous incumbents being unknown or under investigation. Experts analyze that the reshuffling of top technical bureaucrats in military industries handpicked by Xi Jinping indicates a decline in his authority. Anti-Xi forces are taking advantage of the anti-corruption campaign to engage in personnel struggles and factional purges leading up to the delayed Fourth Plenum of the CCP.
Since 2024, there have been significant personnel changes in 11 Chinese military state-owned enterprises, with 8 companies appointing new chairmen (party secretaries) and all 11 replacing their general managers (executive directors).
In April this year, there have been leadership changes in 4 Chinese military group companies:
– Zhou Jie replaced Zhang Zhongyang as the general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group. Zhang’s whereabouts are unknown.
– Chen Shaoyang took over as the general manager of China Aerospace Science and Industry Group, succeeding Gong Bo whose location is also unknown.
– Li Ligong, former general manager of China Electronics Corporation, becomes chairman, leaving the general manager position vacant.
– Cao Jianguo is no longer the chairman of China Aviation Engine Group, with the new chairman yet to be announced. Cao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, disappeared in September 2024 amid allegations of corruption.
Furthermore, there have been multiple changes in top positions in the Chinese military industries. With Xi Jinping’s power weakening, individuals appointed or favored by him are being targeted under various pretexts such as corruption investigations.
Among the notable cases are the dismissal of chief designer Yang Wei and China Aviation Industry Corporation’s general manager Hao Zhaoping, both associated with the development of the stealth fighter J-20, and the removal of Hu Wenming, the chief commander of China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, due to corruption. These incidents highlight the internal power struggles and corruption issues plaguing the military industrial complex.
Experts suggest that the collapse of the Chinese military industrial complex and Xi Jinping’s diminishing authority will further impact his position. The rampant corruption within the military industry presents vulnerabilities that anti-Xi factions are exploiting to challenge his leadership.
In recent years, the uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts and fate of dismissed or disgraced high-ranking officials in the military industry has become a trend. Apart from the mentioned cases, other notable figures include Yuan Jie, former chairman of China Aerospace Science and Industry Group, and Wen Gang, former chairman of China Shipbuilding Group.
The internal handling of such cases within the CCP has raised concerns about potential miscarriages of justice and power struggles. The lack of transparency in dealing with these issues underscores the opaque nature of the CCP’s disciplinary actions and internal purges.
The intensifying internal turmoil within the military-industrial complex reflects the systemic failures and ingrained corruption that the CCP fears exposing to the public. The implications of exposing the true extent of corruption within the military industry could have severe repercussions on morale and loyalty within the armed forces.
It is speculated that Xi Jinping’s emphasis on the military-industrial complex is driven by his ambitions for military dominance, particularly concerning Taiwan. However, the endemic corruption and inefficiencies within the military system call into question its capability to fulfill such goals.
As Xi Jinping’s grip on power weakens amid escalating internal tensions and challenges to his authority, the opaque handling of corruption cases and personnel changes within the military-industrial complex further erode his credibility and control. The internal strife and undercurrents of dissent pose a significant threat to Xi’s leadership and could culminate in his ousting from power.