Shocking Report: China's Defense Minister Dong Jun Under Investigation for Corruption

Image: A Chinese military canine and demolition unit conducting a security sweep at Tiananmen Square. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

[People News] On November 27, foreign media reported that China's Defense Minister Dong Jun is currently under investigation for corruption. This news follows the shocking reports of other high-ranking PLA officials being investigated, including Miao Hua, Director of the Central Military Commission’s Political Work Department, Lin Xiangyang, General and Commander of the Eastern Theater Command, and Liu Zhenli, General and Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department.

The UK’s Financial Times, citing informed current and former U.S. officials, revealed that the investigation into Dong Jun is part of a broader probe into large-scale corruption among the top ranks of the Chinese military.

A U.S. official stated that Xi Jinping is conducting a series of investigations into the PLA, and Dong Jun has been implicated. It is not yet clear what specific corruption charges Dong might face.

According to foreign media reports, some outlets have reached out to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense for comment, but no responses have been received so far. Additionally, the Chinese government has not issued any denial regarding the "rumors" surrounding Dong Jun, Miao Hua, or others.

Wikipedia provides the following details about Dong Jun’s career: In 1978, Dong enrolled at the Naval Dalian Vessel Academy. After graduation, he worked for a long time in naval administration. He has held positions including Director of the Naval Command’s Military Training Department, Deputy Chief of Staff of the North Sea Fleet, and Commander of the Navy’s 92269 Unit. In 2013, he became Deputy Commander of the East Sea Fleet. In January 2017, he was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Southern Theater Command. In August 2021, he was appointed Commander of the Navy and was promoted to the rank of Admiral in September 2021. In December 2023, he was appointed as the 14th Defense Minister, succeeding Li Shangfu, who had been abruptly dismissed. Dong is a member of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

External analysts have long believed that Dong Jun’s rise to Defense Minister was supported by Miao Hua, who also has a naval background and served as Director of the Political Work Department. According to PLA officer promotion protocols, any officer ascending to senior positions requires Miao Hua’s approval and recommendation before the case reaches Xi Jinping. This has led to speculation that Miao had the most resources for corruption within the military. While Miao and Dong were initially considered close allies of Xi, Dong does not appear to have earned Xi’s complete trust. This is evident from Dong’s lack of roles as a State Councilor or member of the Central Military Commission (CMC), breaking with the longstanding tradition where Defense Ministers typically hold vice-national-level rank, leaving Dong in an awkward position. If Dong Jun is being targeted as part of a reckoning by Zhang Youxia’s faction after Xi’s power has been curtailed, his fall from grace becomes a high probability.

China’s previous two Defense Ministers, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, were also investigated for corruption after leaving office. In June this year, both were expelled from the Communist Party and the military and handed over to military prosecutors for legal action. According to Xinhua News Agency, both men were accused of accepting bribes, receiving vast sums of money, and facilitating “personnel benefits” for others, in serious violation of political discipline.

Dong Jun and Li Shangfu are both considered loyal members of Xi Jinping's faction, with both being appointed by Xi himself.

As Defense Minister, Dong Jun is responsible for China's military diplomacy with other countries. His most recent public appearance was on November 21, when he attended the 14th China-ASEAN Informal Defense Ministers’ Meeting held in Vientiane, Laos. He co-chaired the meeting with Laos' Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Chansamone Chanyalath, delivering a speech. On November 22, he met with Lao General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane. During this visit, Dong adopted a hardline stance on Taiwan.

High-level corruption and factional infighting within the PLA are traditionally treated as "state secrets," shrouded in secrecy. Even when incidents are disclosed, the information is often heavily sanitized and filtered by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In recent years, the widespread purging of Rocket Force leadership exemplifies the severity of internal power struggles. If the allegations of Dong Jun and Miao Hua’s downfall are true, it is likely that any official announcement will be delayed. The CCP may fear international scrutiny and further erosion of Xi’s authority, which has already been a sensitive topic.

Alternatively, the investigations could result in lenient or “soft” handling, as the CCP might prioritize maintaining a facade of unity and cohesion. Exposing deep fractures within the military could weaken morale and diminish the PLA’s combat readiness—an outcome the regime would be eager to avoid. Whether or not Dong Jun and Miao Hua’s cases are made public, the fallout reflects deeper vulnerabilities within the system, with corruption and factionalism continuing to undermine the stability of the military and the broader CCP apparatus.