Chinese military newspaper backs Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive after 2 ex-defence ministers accused of corruption
The official newspaper of China’s military has pledged loyalty to President Xi Jinping and expressed support for his anti-corruption drive, days after Beijing announced that two former defence ministers were under investigation.
PLA Daily called on the military to “closely unite around” the Communist Party’s leadership “with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core”, and “thoroughly study and implement” the Chinese leader’s political doctrine.
01:54
China sacks defence minister Li Shangfu with no explanation after nearly two-month absence
China sacks defence minister Li Shangfu with no explanation after nearly two-month absence
It also pledged to “deepen education in party discipline, promote the spirit of thorough self-revolution” and work to “eradicate the soil and conditions that breed corruption”.
The article was published on Monday, the Communist Party’s 103rd anniversary.
Last week the Politburo announced that two former defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and his successor Li Shangfu, were under investigation for corruption. The pair have also been expelled from the party and will face criminal prosecution.
Li was abruptly dismissed from his post in October, with no explanation being given at the time.
The PLA Daily editorial said “the party’s absolute leadership over the military is the foundation of building the people’s army and the soul of strengthening the military”.
The party’s leadership has “led the entire military to persist in following the path of building a strong military with Chinese characteristics, thus revitalising, reshaping, and developing the people’s army in the new era”, the article said.
The pledges echoed comments Xi made last month at a political work conference of the Central Military Commission (CMC) with key military officials and political commissars.
07:00
China airs 4-part anti-corruption series on prime-time TV amid renewed crackdown on graft
China airs 4-part anti-corruption series on prime-time TV amid renewed crackdown on graft
At the meeting in Yanan, a city in Shaanxi province where Mao Zedong had his headquarters for more than a decade, Xi emphasised the importance of absolute loyalty and said the People’s Liberation Army must eliminate the “conditions that breed corruption”.
Xi, who is the chairman of the CMC, said guns “must always be in the hands of those who are loyal and dependable to the party … And we must make it clear that there is no place for any corrupt elements in the military”.
PLA Daily said the leadership had “united and led the party, the armed forces, and the people to effectively respond to the severe and complex international situation and the immense risks and challenges that came one after another”.
It hailed Xi’s leadership and his political doctrine for “providing scientific guidance” for “the new era’s great changes”.
It said the “Two Establishes”, a doctrine establishing Xi’s status as China’s “core” leader and placing his political doctrine at the centre, had helped “propel the party and the country to achieve historic accomplishments and undergo historic changes. They represent the greatest certainty, confidence, and guarantee in overcoming all difficulties and uncertainties”.
