China News Thread

[MortyandRick]

I would say if Zhang and Li weren't individually engaging in corruption (from the article it seems like they might have not), but were disagreeing with Xi on actually prosecuting corruption within the PLA, then the core fundamental problem at hand is still corruption. And the definition of a good environment/atmosphere should be one where corruption is not tolerated. We've seen Xi try to engineer an atmosphere and culture of accountability within the ranks of civilian party officials, so him engaging in the same cultural engineering in the PLA isn't out of the question.

I have to lament that fact that the editorial article is such an awful read. The language is so flowery and reads like a North Korean press release.

I was hoping there would be more factual and nuanced article.

The main question is, was Zhang and Li blocking real corruption to protect their political clout or are they trying to stop a which hunt that can hurt the readiness of the PLA?

While most say it's a good thing there is no term limits for Xi, some checks and balances are still needed.

 

[drowingfish]

the article itself clearly shows that it was not a matter of corruption. most likely scenario is that Zhang and Liu opposed to certain reform that Xi wanted, the reform would have reduced their power. Xi decided to take them out to implement this reform in 2027.

If it were anything else, Xi could have simply waited for Zhang to retire in 2027. the only explanation was there were disagreements on something to be decided in the party congress.

 

[Maikeru]

the article itself clearly shows that it was not a matter of corruption. most likely scenario is that Zhang and Liu opposed to certain reform that Xi wanted, the reform would have reduced their power. Xi decided to take them out to implement this reform in 2027.

If it were anything else, Xi could have simply waited for Zhang to retire in 2027. the only explanation was there were disagreements on something to be decided in the party congress.

In any event, seems a successor has been identified:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2015073311932211420

 

[hereforsemithread]

SCMP states Zhang is being charged with failure to promptly report corruption and failure to ensure his family members were not taking advantage of his position. It's a bit vague on whether he himself was engaged in corrupt activities but if the charges are accurate that's not too important.

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[MortyandRick]

SCMP states Zhang is being charged with failure to promptly report corruption and failure to ensure his family members were not taking advantage of his position. It's a bit vague on whether he himself was engaged in corrupt activities but if the charges are accurate that's not too important.

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My question is, in the past, high ranking officers would just be gone and replaced without a lot of announcements, eg. Foreign minister, prior defence minister (unless I missed the actual announcement). And we would be left guessing after the fact. but this time they announced it before people could speculate. Why? why not let this guy just retired in 2027 and avoid speculation and avoid moral hit to the PLA?

i suspect this is not purely political. They found something big?

 

[hereforsemithread]

prior defence minister

Both Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe had public announcements when they were put under investigation and expelled.

Foreign minister

If rumors are correct this was over an affair with a foreigner, not corruption per se, which is why it was handled more quietly.

why not let this guy just retired in 2027 and avoid speculation and avoid moral hit to the PLA?

On the contrary, even beyond moral principle there is considerable political benefit for Xi by going for public prosecution over letting them off the hook. Zhang Youxia is a childhood friend whose father was a close friend of Xi's father. He was the highest ranking military officer. By punishing him for corruption according to protocol, this serves to clearly demonstrate once and for all that no amount of personal or political affinity with the gensec will make you exempt from the rules of conduct. If Zhang Youxia cannot get away with it, nobody can. That will doubtless leave a strong impression on others who may have "harbored illusions".

 

[AndrewJ]

I think this video makes a lot of sense.

This analysis gives a great guess, Zhang as well as his men were involved in the previous PLARF corruption cases. Xi chose not to purge him at that time because:
1) Zhang's position is too important. That case already removed too many generals, Xi can't remove Zhang at that time, in case not enough men can do the daily job, also will create massive turbulence in the PLA.
2) Zhang himself's problem was not found to be that big at that time. Given their individual relationship, Xi decides to not punish him. But Zhang's problem was found much bigger after other CMC members, Miao Hua & He Weidong got removed & confessed.
3) Zhang is an old man who will retire soon, not willing to fight a war with US. Zhang is promoted at era of Chairman Hu, an era PLA generals are corrupt to death. As a CMC vice chair, he's not hard-working on PLA improvement, and always disobey Xi's order "fully prepare to fight on Taiwan" at Xi's back.

The recent Venezuela case prompted Xi to decide to purge Zhang: If your top generals are corrupt, they can even sell the president out to your enemy.

Just an interesting newslet from 2024:
(Translated) Zhang Youxia: China won't fight a cold war or a hot war with any country.

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Things remind me of what happened after Mark Milley told PLA "Trump is going to launch a war with you, but I'll not let him it" at the end of Trump 1.0.

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[mossen]

So it's basically just a powerstruggle.

CMC now down to just 2 members.

Will this matter for PLA? Probably not. CMC and similar bodies are inherently political.

Nevertheless, this shows us that:

1. Xi is paranoid.

2. Maybe he is right to be.

3. He clearly doesn't trust his own people.

What's even the point of CMC going forward? Just two members left.

 

[Sierra]

Will this matter for PLA? Probably not. CMC and similar bodies are inherently political.

Nevertheless, this shows us that:

1. Xi is paranoid.

2. Maybe he is right to be.

3. He clearly doesn't trust his own people.

Ever since he purged Xi's appointees, he had it coming.
And it won't affect PLA procurement in any meaningful way just the C3.



Besides Xi has plenty of time until 21st NC to fill the CMC again and he already has promoted a lot to L.Gen in several Theatres/Branches last year (almost 18/19).