Third in row China's Defense Minister faces corruption allegations
Photo: China's Defense Minister Dong Jun (x.com/IISS_org)
In China, the law enforcement authorities suspect the Defense Minister of corruption. In addition, at least two other high-ranking Chinese officers are under investigation, the Financial Times reports.
According to current and former US officials, a wave of investigations is underway within China's People's Liberation Army concerning its highest military command.
The current China's Defense Minister, Dong Jun, faces corruption allegations. He was appointed to the position in December 2023 and became the third defense minister in two years to be placed under investigation.
His predecessor, General Li Shangfu, was removed from office after just seven months on the job. Before this, former Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe was arrested for corruption and resigned in March 2023.
In addition to the defense minister, investigations have been launched against at least two high-ranking Chinese officers who headed the missile forces and the nuclear weapons production program.
Chinese authorities have declined to comment on the investigation concerning its top military officials.
As reported earlier, the news about the investigation came a week after China's defense minister attended the ASEAN defense ministers' meeting in Laos. Dong Jun also canceled a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
