Introduction
Behind the glittering scenes of military parades lies a force torn apart by corruption and political purges. As waves of senior PLA generals are investigated and removed from power, Xi Jinping’s regime turns to lavish parades to manufacture the illusion of strength—an attempt to shift attention from disgrace within the ranks to the false spectacle of marching troops and missile displays.
Illusion on Parade: Orderly on the Surface, Rotten Within
At parades, tanks roll in formation and missiles stand in perfect alignment, presenting an image of ironclad power. In reality, the PLA has long been riddled with corruption and profiteering. In 2023, several senior officials in weapons procurement were investigated, exposing missile acquisition projects plagued by inflated numbers and substandard equipment disguised as “advanced.” Every synchronized step on the parade ground is designed to cover up disorder and systemic decay inside the force.
Generals Fall: Shockwaves Through the Ranks
In recent years, numerous top commanders have been brought down, especially within the Rocket Force and equipment systems. In 2023, Rocket Force commander Li Yuchao and former commander Zhou Yaning were both reported under investigation, while former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was dismissed for corruption tied to military procurement. These sweeping purges reveal widespread graft, inflated combat claims, and hollowed-out readiness. As generals vanish one by one, the so-called “strong army dream” collapses into empty rhetoric.
Distraction by Spectacle: From Scandal to Celebration
Confronted with rising public attention to corruption, the CCP’s answer is simple: drown the scandals with parades. Between 2023 and 2024, at least a dozen lieutenant generals and major generals from the Rocket Force and Equipment Development Department were taken away for investigation, yet state media remained silent—flooding coverage instead with reports of “grand parades” and rehearsals. The booming bands, gleaming weapons, and fireworks are packaged as “national pride,” but their true purpose is to redirect the public gaze.
A Paper Tiger: Steel on Display, Trust in Ruins
No matter how many missiles roll through Tiananmen Square, the cracks inside the PLA cannot be hidden. By late 2023, revelations surfaced that components for the “Dongfeng” missile series had been compromised by corrupt procurement, raising doubts about their performance. As senior officers fall in waves, morale collapses and the chain of trust disintegrates. The army that appears disciplined in formation is, in truth, a paper tiger—hollow behind the banners and flags.
Conclusion: Parades Cannot Wash Away Corruption
The CCP may hope to conceal disgrace with parades, but corruption runs too deep and the purge of generals too widespread. This is a military force untested in war, eroded by graft, and shaken by fear. No amount of pageantry can erase the stains of a decayed system.