China’s leadership has announced the removal of Admiral Miao Hua—formerly head of political work in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)—from the Central Military Commission (CMC), signaling a deepening purge within the country’s highest military echelons under President Xi Jinping.
Miao Hua Removed Amid Corruption Probe
China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee voted on June 27 to dismiss 69-year-old Miao Hua from the CMC following his suspension in November over “serious violations of discipline”—a term typically used to denote corruption.
Once responsible for ideological and political control of the PLA, Miao’s ousting represents one of the most significant CMC purges since the 1960s.
Part of Xi’s Sweeping Military Clean-Up
Miao’s removal follows the dismissal of several top CMC figures, including former vice-chair He Weidong, both former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, and heads of the Rocket Force.
The purge is widely seen as part of Xi Jinping’s broader strategy to root out corruption and tighten central control over the military, particularly in defense procurement.
Implications for Military-Civilian Relations
Experts warn these leadership purges may impact PLA cohesion and disrupt modernization programs targeted for completion by 2027.
Washington analysts express concern that internal political turmoil could undermine dialogue with the U.S. military—crucial to preventing accidental escalations in regions like the Taiwan Strait.
Xi’s Tight Grip on the Military
Xi Jinping himself presides over the CMC and has aggressively pursued anti-corruption efforts—a campaign that has investigated millions of officials from low-level cadres to high-ranking “tigers” like Miao.
However, critics note these purges even target Xi-appointed protégés, raising questions about internal vetting and political instability amid leadership upheavals .
What Lies Ahead
- New appointments expected: The CMC will likely appoint a successor to Miao’s key role overseeing political loyalty within the armed forces.
- Continued purges: Analysts anticipate further investigations into current CMC members and military-affiliated defense contractors.
- Impact on modernization: Military transparency could be affected as PLA restructures and pursues its 2027 modernization goals amid these disruptions.
Admiral Miao Hua’s expulsion marks a dramatic escalation in Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption purge—penetrating even the highest tiers of military command. As the PLA experiences deeper institutional turnover, observers will watch closely to see how such upheaval affects China’s military readiness and its international engagements.
