Missiles Filled with Water Scandal: China’s Xi Targets Rocket Force Corruption

China may be unable to engage in military action for several years
15 leaders of state-owned rocket and defense companies purged in six months
Massive purge could potentially strengthen Xi Jinping’s power

Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently purged many high-ranking officials from the rocket forces amid U.S. intelligence agencies’ analysis that widespread corruption across China’s defense industry was the cause of the massive purge.

Bloomberg, citing a U.S. intelligence official on the 6th (local time), reported that President Xi responded to widespread corruption in China, exemplified by discoveries such as missiles being filled with water instead of fuel. The source mentioned, “There are missile hangars in western China where effective missile launch is hindered due to malfunctioning lids.”

As the serious corruption of China’s People’s Liberation Army has been exposed, there are observations that China may not be able to engage in military action for several years.

However, the U.S. side analyzed that the extensive purge could strengthen President Xi’s power. It is possible that President Xi could solidify his position within the Communist Party and rectify the discipline by expelling high-ranking officials who were promoted under his command.

Furthermore, Bloomberg evaluated that China is showing that it is serious about preparing for battle in the long term through its efforts to eradicate corruption.

It has been reported that the Chinese authorities purged 15 leaders of state-owned rocket forces and defense companies in the past six months. At the National People’s Congress held on December 29 last year, the dismissal of nine defense personnel was decided. Three days earlier, at the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, three executives from a state-owned missile manufacturer were stripped of their public offices. In November and July of last year, the commander of the rocket forces and the political commissar were each dismissed. In August last year, Li Sangfu, then Minister of National Defense of China, who had been absent from official occasions, was suddenly dismissed from his ministerial and Central Military Commission positions two months later, fueling controversy over his dismissal.

By. Ah Hyeon Jeon