PLA corruption

Can China Ever Weed out Corruption in Its Military?

By Bonnie Girard

Another spate of Chinese military corruption cases serves as a reminder that a decades-long practice and culture of corruption continues to flourish within the PLA.

What Do the Latest Purges Mean for China’s Military?

By Duncan Bartlett

The dismissal of senior commanders creates a sense of “chaos and disarray,” says a leading defense expert.

The Logic of China’s Careful Defense Industry Purge

By K. Tristan Tang

Rather than a full-on anti-corruption effort, the targeting of certain defense officials is part of China's larger plan to remake its military-industrial complex.

For China’s Military, 2024 Is the Year of Discipline

By Robert Rust

Corruption and high-level upheaval defined 2023 for the PLA, and will continue to shape the coming year. This merits a closer look at the PLA’s disciplinary practices.

China’s Military Shakeup: What You Need to Know

An interview with Lyle Morris about China's new defense minister and what's driving arguably the biggest purge in PLA history.

The Mysterious Death of a Chinese General

By Don Tse

What Zhang Yang’s suicide reveals about Xi Jinping’s political situation.

How China's Anti-Corruption Intersects With the South China Sea

By David Volodzko

Xi Jinping has tightened his control over every sector of China. Now, what will he do with that power?

Chinese Ex-General Gets Life in Prison for Corruption

By Shannon Tiezzi

Guo Boxiong's conviction is the latest reminder that Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign is going strong.

China Military Commission Digs Deep to Root Out Corruption

By Ben Lowsen

The Chinese military’s Discipline Inspection Commission is spending Chinese New Year checking out the PLA’s “style.”

How Foreign Analysis of China's Military Parade Missed the Point

By Zheng Wang

Most outside analysis of China's parade was surprisingly sensationalized, superficial, and over-interpreted.

Guo Boxiong, Jiang Zemin, and the Corruption of the Chinese Military

By Bo Zhiyue

If two of the most powerful military leaders in the past 16 years are corrupt, who in the Chinese military is not?

With Latest Ouster, China Steps Up Fight Against Military Corruption

By Shannon Tiezzi

After months of speculation, General Guo Boxiong has been officially expelled from the CCP.

The Rise and Fall of Xu Caihou, China's Corrupt General

By Bo Zhiyue

How Xu Caihou rose from nothing to the pinnacles of CCP power -- and then lost everything.

Former Chinese General's Death Means No Military Show Trial - For Now

By Shannon Tiezzi

Former PLA general Xu Caihou has passed away, ending the legal case against him.

Ousted Chinese General Aided Myanmar Rebels: Report

By Shannon Tiezzi

SCMP reports that a general accused of corruption was actually ousted for giving assistance to Myanmar's Kokang rebels.

China’s PLA Crackdown Gathers Steam

By Shannon Tiezzi

The PLA releases a list of 14 generals under investigation for corruption, signalling a sea change.

Shoring up the 'Rule of Law' in China's Military

By Susan Finder

Chinese authorities are revamping the military legal system to promote the rule of law and weed out corruption.

How a 120-Year-Old War Is Driving China's Military Modernization

By David M. Liebenberg

An essay by Gen. Fan Changlong on the First Sino-Japanese War reveals China's current vision for military modernization.

Graft Busters Take Aim at China's Military

By Shannon Tiezzi

Xi's anti-corruption campaign has the PLA under the microscope.

Is Corruption Within the PLA Diminishing China’s Military Preparedness?

By Franz-Stefan Gady

Corruption within the People’s Liberation Army is good news for those who are afraid of China’s military.

China: Former PLA General Confesses to Taking 'Extremely Large' Bribes

By Shannon Tiezzi

Xu's trial will serve as a symbol for the "rule of law" over China's military.

Xi Jinping's Next Tiger Hunt

By Shannon Tiezzi

After Zhou Yongkang, the anti-corruption campaign aims at the PLA and Shanghai -- two power bases for Jiang Zemin.

Xi Aims His Anti-Corruption Campaign at the PLA

By Shannon Tiezzi

Xu Caihou is the highest-ranking military official to be taken down for corruption since the Deng Xiaoping era.