It appears Chairman Xi has not yet consolidated power after what appeared to be an attempted coup a few months ago. It has been announced 6 top PLA Generals, including the powerful procurement head, have been fired. The charges are corruption connected to taking money through the procurement process.
Xi to remove top 6 PLA generals, including procurement head – NewsBytes
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EXCERPT:
Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly preparing to dismiss the top six generals of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The purge includes key commanders of cyberspace and logistics forces, as well as the general responsible for equipment procurement. This comes after Air Force General Xu Xueqiang is to be sacked from his dual role as Director of Equipment Development Department and head of the Manned Space Programme.
Membership termination
National People’s Congress terminated memberships of these generals
The National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s legislative body, has terminated the memberships of these six top generals. This is the first step in a three-step purge process that includes expulsion from the Communist Party and a formal investigation by military prosecutors. The latest dismissals come amid Xi’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has seen at least 104 generals purged over four years, including 62 in the past year alone.
Equipment Development Department at center of corruption scandal
The Equipment Development Department (EDD), which Xu headed, is at the center of a major corruption scandal. The scandal involves alleged irregularities in the testing, approval, and procurement of military equipment. This year alone, heads of state-owned enterprises like Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) have also been dismissed over this issue.
