Xi Jinping Calls for Army to Combat Corruption
Chinese President Xi Jinping has intensified his anti-corruption drive within the People's Liberation Army (PLA), urging the military to root out graft and sharpen its readiness for warfare. In remarks delivered to troops from the PLA's Information Support Force, Xi stressed the importance of enforcing strict discipline to ensure the military's loyalty, purity, and reliability, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
This directive comes as part of a broader effort by Xi, who has led an anti-corruption campaign since ascending to power over a decade ago. While touted as a bid to enhance governance, critics suggest the campaign doubles as a mechanism for consolidating political power by sidelining rivals.
Recent Corruption Purges
The PLA has become a key focus of these efforts, with senior officials, including top figure Miao Hua, removed from their posts in recent months. Miao’s fall aligns with a larger pattern: over the past year, numerous high-ranking military officials have faced similar fates as Xi tightens his grip on the armed forces.
Xi’s calls to "rigorously enforce discipline" and "combat corruption" are not merely administrative measures—they are strategic steps to mold the PLA into a more cohesive and trustworthy force. Analysts believe this move is essential for reinforcing Xi’s authority within the military, a critical pillar of his governance.
The Role of the Information Support Force
The Information Support Force, established in April 2024, reflects the PLA's evolution to meet modern military challenges. This new branch consolidates cyber, information, logistics, and space operations, positioning China to better navigate the complexities of 21st-century warfare. Xi emphasized that this unit must prioritize its ability to "fight and win wars," underscoring Beijing’s commitment to technological and strategic advancements in defense.
Rising Regional Tensions
Xi’s call for a war-ready military coincides with escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan remains a flashpoint, with China asserting its claim over the self-governed island and refusing to renounce the use of force to achieve reunification. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s recent Pacific tour, which included stops in Hawaii and Guam, has drawn Beijing's ire, with China cautioning the United States about the dangers posed by "separatist acts" in Taiwan.
Simultaneously, confrontations in the South China Sea have underscored the region’s volatility. On Wednesday, the Philippines accused China’s Coast Guard of firing water cannons and colliding with a Philippine vessel during a patrol in disputed waters. Beijing defended its actions, claiming it was exercising control over the area.
Strategic Implications
Xi’s dual emphasis on combating corruption and enhancing combat readiness signals a strategic recalibration of China’s military posture. As Beijing navigates complex regional dynamics, maintaining an incorruptible and highly capable military is pivotal to its broader ambitions, including asserting dominance in contested areas like Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Xi's directives highlight not only his vision for a disciplined and modernized PLA but also the increasing inseparability of domestic governance and foreign policy in China's rise as a global power. As regional tensions persist, the PLA's transformation will remain central to Beijing’s strategic calculus.
