By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has resulted in the expulsion of two high-ranking military officials from the Communist Party. Among them is He Weidong, a vice-chair of the Central Military Commission and a Politburo member. This marks the first Politburo member to be ousted since 2017, with the Ministry of Defense citing violations of party disciplines and laws as the reason for the expulsions.
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China Ousts Top Military Official as Xi Widens Corruption Purge. This is the crux of the matter, isn’t it? The news that China has removed its No. 3 military official, He Weidong, from the Communist Party is definitely grabbing attention. The Ministry of Defense stated he was found to have violated discipline and law. But let’s be real, in the world of Chinese politics, “violating discipline and law” is often the polite euphemism for something much more complex. This action is happening as President Xi Jinping deepens his anti-corruption campaign, which, as we all know, is a multi-layered drama, and the timing is never coincidental.
This event is particularly noteworthy, given that He Weidong was a key figure. He served as one of the two vice-chairs of the Central Military Commission (CMC) led by Xi himself. He was someone Xi had appointed to the CMC. That makes this removal all the more significant. This is not just a case of shuffling the deck; this involves someone who held a very high position. It’s the equivalent of removing a joint chief of staff. The importance of this act alone cannot be ignored.
And the context? The big CCP plenum is fast approaching. The Central Committee meets and outlines policy changes. When something like this happens in advance of such a major event, you have to wonder what’s really being planned. The CCP is known for wanting to maintain an appearance of stability. But, given Xi’s consolidation of power, including the appointment of so many party officials, one has to question if the situation is less stable than we’re led to believe. This ousting feels like a power play, plain and simple.
Also, don’t forget the enemies Xi has made as he solidified his control. Let’s remember the old adage, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” But in this case, it appears that Xi might have decided that even some of his close associates are too close for comfort. This is a purge, and it’s being disguised as a crackdown on corruption.
The term “corruption purge” feels almost sarcastic, doesn’t it? As if corruption is the real issue. In China, corruption seems to be the excuse, not the cause. It is all in the eyes of the beholder, and in China, Xi Jinping is the only beholder who matters. It’s a game of power, and Xi is playing to win.
The underlying motivations often go beyond simple power struggles. Consider the matter of Taiwan. Xi Jinping is very direct in his goal of taking Taiwan. The generals, who understand the possible challenges and consequences of that course of action, might have a different perspective. So the timing of this “purge” and its potential impact on the Taiwan issue is something that is going to be watched very closely. It’s easy to suspect that this move is part of the groundwork for potentially removing those who might hinder his plans.
The idea that the situation is about corruption is also questionable. In Chinese society, and in the business world generally, exchanging gifts and favors is a common practice. Many people would be able to be removed with a simple charge of corruption. However, the use of those charges seems to be selective, a tool to be used when desired. These corruption charges are very easy to fabricate and use as needed.
It is worth noting that Western media will often portray actions as “tackling corruption” when done by some countries, but use the term “corruption purge” to describe identical actions by others. It is all about the narrative.
There are also rumblings of potential power shifts, rumors of Xi’s health, and the economic challenges. If those rumors are true, then it is logical that his position might be shaky. With all of that in mind, the possibility of Xi gracefully stepping down and Zhang Youxia taking over is plausible. It is not clear if Xi will step down, or if his rivals will play the waiting game, but these events suggest that it is something that could be in play.
It is fascinating to observe how Xi has concentrated power and managed to maintain it for so long. However, there may be some challenges in his path. Public opinion matters. The fact that many Chinese people are openly critical of Xi is something that has not been seen in decades. So, it is reasonable to expect that some people might try to exploit those challenges.
Regardless of the complexities, this ousting is a high-stakes move. It is a show of force, a power play, and a signal of the political landscape in China. Regardless of the details, it is sure to generate more speculation and questions about the future of the country.