The Purge in China’s Military Stemmed from Serious Equipment Issues, US Intelligence Says
Shocking revelations have emerged about the state of China’s military, as US intelligence reports that a recent purge of top officials in the People’s Liberation Army was due to serious equipment issues and corruption.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese soldiers were fielding missiles that had been filled with water instead of fuel, along with arrays of silos that had improper lids. These problems were so severe that they led to a dramatic shake-up within the PLA, with more than a dozen senior commanders, including Defense Minister Li Shangfu, being ousted.
The corruption and equipment issues in China’s Rocket Force, responsible for overseeing the country’s nuclear weapons, have raised serious concerns about Beijing’s ability to take on major military actions in the near future. This is particularly concerning given President Xi Jinping’s recent push to modernize China’s forces, with a focus on the Rocket Force.
However, the US assessment indicates that these problems have likely undermined Xi’s modernization policies and internal confidence in the Rocket Force’s capabilities. It is also speculated that Xi’s purge may be tied to his long-running anti-corruption campaign, as at least three of the recently sacked Chinese commanders held top positions in the Rocket Force.
The revelations about the state of China’s military have raised questions about Beijing’s ability to carry out its aggressive posturing, particularly in relation to Taiwan. It has also prompted the PLA to emphasize the importance of staying vigilant against corruption, citing a “battle against corruption” in its New Year’s Day statement.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. As these revelations continue to emerge, the world will be watching closely to see how China’s military and President Xi Jinping handle these serious issues.