In brief
The recent suspension of Adm. Miao Hua, a key figure in China's armed forces, raises questions about the Communist Party’s ongoing struggle against corruption at high levels of the military.
The Chinese government disclosed the suspension of Admiral Miao Hua on Thursday, citing “serious violations of discipline” as the reason for the investigation. This action follows the public denouncements of two former defense ministers earlier this year for related charges of corruption and disloyalty to the Communist Party, led by Xi Jinping. During a monthly briefing in Beijing, Senior Col. Wu Qian of the Ministry of National Defense confirmed the investigation into Admiral Miao, who was notably tasked with overseeing the enforcement of party discipline within the military as the director of the Central Military Commission's Political Work Department since 2017. While “serious violations of discipline” often implies corruption, it can also relate to political infractions.Experts suggest that the implications of Admiral Miao’s suspension are significant given his senior role. Drew Thompson, a former U.S. Defense Department official specializing in U.S.-China relations, emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting that Miao's position within the Communist Party’s military structure holds far more weight compared to a defense minister, who exerts no command over troops or budgetary authority.The suspension comes as part of a broader campaign by Xi Jinping aimed at rooting out corruption within the military, reflecting the ongoing challenges the Communist leadership faces in fully eradicating corrupt practices among its ranks.
