In recent years, the Chinese Communist Party’s military has experienced significant turmoil, with high-ranking officials such as Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission and Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission, being investigated or going missing. The Chinese military newspaper reported on July 21st that the Central Military Commission has issued a document recently demanding the “comprehensive elimination of harmful influences” and the “reshaping of the political cadres’ image and reputation.” Experts point out that continuing to rectify within the framework of the CCP system may prove challenging.
The front page of the Chinese military newspaper on the 21st reported that the Central Military Commission recently issued a document involving several provisions related to the so-called “comprehensive elimination of harmful influences and reshaping the political cadres’ image and reputation,” requiring political cadres to strengthen political loyalty. The “provisions” cover 22 articles in seven aspects, setting regulations on strengthening the so-called “political loyalty” and adherence to party principles. It also emphasizes that political cadres, especially political leaders, should lead by example in rebuilding trust and reshaping their image and reputation.
On the same day, the military newspaper published a commentary underlining the traditional political work of the military before the establishment of the CCP, claiming the necessity of “thorough self-revolution” and “eliminating negative factors that damage image and reputation,” and so on.
The full contents of the aforementioned document have not been officially disclosed by the Chinese Communist military.
Prior to Xi Jinping coming to power, a large number of high-ranking officials, including former Vice-Chairmen of the Central Military Commission Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, as well as the then Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission Zhang Yang, were investigated. Starting in 2023, a corruption scandal ensued in the Chinese Rocket Force, leading to the downfall of dozens of generals, including two former Defense Ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Feng.
Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission and Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission, was suspended for investigation at the end of November last year. In May this year, he was removed from his position as a national People’s Congress representative, and in June, he was relieved of his duties as a member of the Central Military Commission.
Additionally, there are rumors that the Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, He Weidong, was taken away for investigation on suspicions of corruption at the end of March, subsequently missing several activities. The Deputy Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission, He Hongjun, also faced allegations of misconduct.
Su Ziyun, the Director of the Strategic and Resource Department at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Studies, analyzed for Epoch Times that the seven aspects mentioned by the Chinese Military Commission do not bring anything new. These principles emphasized by the CCP are merely excuses to use when problems arise. Under the premise of maintaining the CCP system, the continuing rectification of the Military Commission may have little effect.
He stated that the issue of corruption within the Chinese military cannot be eradicated. “For example, now emphasizing the reshaping of so-called glorious traditions and good practices is similar to the emphasis on being politically qualified and militarily competent during the Jiang Zemin era, and the result is increasing corruption. The problem lies in the fact that the Chinese Communist Party has become a dictatorship of one person. Now, when issues arise in the military, they can only address them as they appear,” he added.
Hong Zijie, the Director of the Research Institute for Communist Party Military Operations and Operational Concepts at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Studies, told Epoch Times that the political cadre system is at the core of the CCP’s operation as the “party’s command gun.” Therefore, the corruption issues within the political commissars themselves could potentially weaken the fundamental operation of the “party’s command gun,” leading to its decline. Hence, this document serves as a warning to internal military cadres. However, after cracking down on corruption in the past, internal corruption issues within the CCP resurface, and the effectiveness of subsequent crackdowns needs further observation.
Su Ziyun noted that the introduction of these regulations is related to the collapse of the military’s political work system, as Xi Jinping promoted Miao Hua to supervise political work in the Military Commission, and Miao Hua’s downfall now demonstrates the unreliability of those Xi has promoted.