China’s state media says corruption probes into senior generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli will remove obstacles and boost military combat effectiveness.
BEIJING: State media says an anti-corruption probe into top general Zhang Youxia (pic) and other senior officials will “remove roadblocks” and strengthen China’s military.
The defence ministry said last month it was investigating Zhang, the vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, chief of staff of the CMC’s joint staff department.
The PLA Daily editorial called them “corrupt elements” whose punishment “removes roadblocks” and “squeezes out the water diluting combat effectiveness”.
Proponents say the purge promotes clean governance, while critics view it as a tool for President Xi Jinping to oust political rivals.
Analyst Dylan Loh said the editorial’s reference to combat effectiveness admits corruption affected readiness and shows Xi’s resolve.
The editorial also said all soldiers must “unify their thoughts and actions” with the CMC and Xi’s decisions.
Loh interpreted this as indicating “some side-stepping and resistance to Xi’s personal command and directives”.
The drive is part of efforts to professionalise the military to win wars, according to East Asia expert Lim Tai Wei.
In October, China announced corruption investigations into nine military officials, expelling two top generals.
