A new Pentagon report has revealed that a widespread anti-corruption campaign within the Chinese military and government is hindering its efforts to modernize by 2027. At least 15 high-ranking officials and defense industry executives have been removed from their posts for corruption in the second half of 2023 alone.
The campaign’s impact on the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) progress toward its goals is significant, with experts warning that frequent turnover and replacement of high-level personnel could slow down projects. The report notes that China is “almost certainly” learning from Russia’s war in Ukraine and applying those lessons to its approach to Taiwan.
China aims to modernize the PLA by 2035 and transform it into a “world-class” military by mid-century, with leader Xi Jinping overseeing the effort. However, the anti-corruption campaign has led to disloyalty within the ranks, with some officials being fired or investigated.
According to the Pentagon report, China’s nuclear arsenal is expected to grow to over 1,000 operational warheads by 2030, while the PLA plans to modernize its capabilities beyond that milestone. The report also highlights the importance of the anti-corruption campaign, which Xi Jinping has instructed the PLA to prioritize as a necessary tool to build a professional fighting force.
The campaign’s impact on China’s military ambitions is a concern for American officials, who believe Xi Jinping may be using it as a pretext to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027. However, others argue that the campaign will continue, driven by Xi’s commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring the PLA’s operational capability.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/18/politics/pentagon-china-report-anticorruption-military/index.html