Xi Jinping Urges Chinese Military to Combat Corruption

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the military to “combat corruption” and focus its efforts on “winning wars,” according to state media on Thursday, as Beijing tightens its measures against corruption within its armed forces.

Since taking power nearly a decade ago, President Xi has overseen a wide-ranging anti-corruption campaign across state institutions, but critics have also seen it as a way to eliminate political rivals, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Recent efforts appear to be focused on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), with senior official Miao Hua last month joining a group of senior officials who lost their positions in just one year.

In a speech on Wednesday to the newly established “Information Support Force” unit of the PLA, Xi emphasized that the military must “strictly enforce discipline,” according to state-run CCTV. He said that the military must “combat corruption to ensure absolute loyalty, integrity, and credibility of the forces.”

The “Information Support Force” was established in April, and analysts saw it as a step toward reforming the army’s management of its cyber, informational, logistical, and space operations.

Xi added on Wednesday that the military should focus on “the capabilities necessary to fight and win wars.”

The message from the Chinese president comes at a time when tensions in the region are rising, especially concerning Taiwan. Beijing views Taiwan, which enjoys self-rule, as part of its territory and refuses to rule out the use of force to regain control if necessary.