China's Military Officer Purge: Unveiling the Hidden Power Struggles

China's National Defense Minister Li Shangfu is under investigation for corruption and has been removed from his position, joining a growing list of senior military officers who have been fired or disappeared from public view. Chinese President Xi Jinping has made fighting corruption a priority, particularly within the military, but these recent incidents suggest that misconduct is still occurring at high levels, potentially hindering efforts to modernize the People's Liberation Army. The Chinese government's lack of transparency regarding these purges has fueled speculation and rumors. Corruption in the PLA has long been a problem, and while Xi aims to have complete Party control over the military, deeply entrenched corruption may continue to pose challenges.