China’s Anti-Corruption Campaign in the PLA

China’s anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping has increasingly reshaped the leadership of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Initially focused on graft and procurement abuses, the campaign has expanded into the highest levels of China’s military command. Several senior figures linked to the Central Military Commission (CMC), the PLA’s top decision-making body, have been removed or placed under investigation, reflecting the growing reach of disciplinary enforcement within China’s armed forces.

Since 2023, a series of investigations has targeted senior officers across key institutions, including the Rocket Force, the Ministry of National Defense, and the military procurement system. These developments highlight how anti-corruption enforcement has extended from addressing financial misconduct to reinforcing political control and command discipline within the PLA. They also reflect broader political dynamics within China’s leadership, including factional competition and political purges within the military establishment, particularly as the Chinese leadership approaches the 21st Party Congress.

This ISDP factsheet maps key investigations and leadership removals affecting China’s military since 2023 and presents data on developments within the PLA’s senior leadership. It also highlights the potential implications of these developments for China’s military modernization, defense industry performance, and the evolving security environment around Taiwan.