China Dismisses Admiral Miao Hua Over Alleged Corruption
A Sweeping Anti-Corruption Crackdown in China's Military
China's military has seen another high-ranking official bite the dust, following the ousting of Admiral Miao Hua from his post on June 27, 2025. This decision, revealed by state media outlets, comes after Miao Hua was originally suspended and underwent an investigation for acts of corruption—commonly denoted as "serious violations of discipline"—since November 2024.
At 69 years old, Miao Hua, previously serving as director of the Central Military Commission's (CMC) Political Work Department, is one of the highest-ranking officials to face the chopping block since Xi Jinping's presidency in 2012. His expulsion from the CMC, overseen by China's top legislature, was the final nail in the coffin after already being booted out from the National People's Congress in April 2025.
Among a litany of high-ranking military personnel targeted by the intensifying anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping, Miao Hua is by no means an exception. Over a dozen PLA generals and numerous defense industry executives have found themselves in the hot seat, with two former defense ministers, including Li Shangfu, feeling similar consequences for their alleged corruption. The whereabouts of another high-ranking official, He Weidong, remain uncertain, fanning speculation of further disciplinary action.
Miao Hua's removal barely scratches the surface of a broader reshuffling within the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) upper echelons. Corruption within defense procurement and management has been unearthed, prompting the examination of practices such as bribery, embezzlement, favoritism, and kickbacks for eroding military efficiency and discipline.
Xi Jinping's политиcal clout continues to swell as he tightens his reins on the party-state apparatus, and Miao Hua's dismissal serves as a stark reminder to others of the president's unwavering commitment to crushing perceived disloyalty and misconduct. This unceasing campaign has also sparked uncertainty within the defense sector, with state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and military leadership under increased scrutiny.
Here's a summary table of the key officials and their current status:
| Official | Position/Title | Status (2025) | Reason for Removal/Absence ||------------|------------------------|--------------|---------------------------------------|| Miao Hua | CMC Political Work Dept Director | Removed | Serious violations of discipline || Li Shangfu | Former Defense Minister | Removed | Corruption || He Weidong | High-ranking military official | Absent | Unexplained, possible detainment |
With continued purges within the military and the seeping effects on the political landscape, the stakes are high, reforms are on the horizon, and the consolidation of Xi Jinping's power continues at an unrelenting pace. [Source: [1][2][3][4][5]]
The ongoing anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping's administration has seen Miao Hua, previously the director of the Central Military Commission's Political Work Department, expelled from the Commission, further demonstrating the president's commitment to rooting out perceived disloyalty and misconduct in policy-and-legislation and politics. This general-news story also highlights the removal of former Defense Minister Li Shangfu, among other high-ranking officials, due to corruption charges, hinting at a broader reshuffling within the People's Liberation Army and intensifying scrutiny on state-owned enterprises.
