Personnel changes within China's military's top leadership have stirred new waves. This week, the Chairman's Meeting of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) revoked the membership of Tang Yong, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission's Discipline Inspection Commission. The removal of CPPCC members is generally believed to be related to suspected violations of law or discipline. Coupled with the recent absence of Central Military Commission Vice Chairman He Weidong from public view, suggesting he is under investigation, the turmoil within the People's Liberation Army has drawn widespread attention.
The 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a chairperson's meeting in Beijing on Wednesday (the 26th) and decided to revoke the membership of Tang Yong, deputy secretary of the Central Military Commission's Commission for Discipline Inspection. The memberships of Li Mingji, former chairman of Hua Xia Bank, and Dang Yanbao, chairman of Ningxia Baofeng Group, were also revoked.
In this regard, scholar Fang Zhanhao told Radio Free Asia in an interview on Friday that the Central Military Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China is responsible for investigating and punishing violations of discipline and law by high-ranking military officials. It holds a high position of power within the military and operates in secrecy. Tang Yong's dismissal may be linked to already-disgraced senior officials, such as Miao Hua. As the saying goes, "pulling out the radish brings out the dirt." "This is the most secretive department, and the one most susceptible to backroom dealings. It has absolute power, so it has the most internal problems. Furthermore, the barrel of the gun is the backbone of the CCP's rule, and this has been an unspoken rule for many years. For example, the arrests of former Vice Chairmen of the Central Military Commission, Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, have shown that this area is ripe for corruption. The dismissal of the Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission for Discipline Inspection may be linked to allegations of covering up a major case uncovered by higher-ups, or even tipping off officers who violated regulations."
Tang Yong, born in 1967, previously served as President of the Nanjing Military Region Military Court. He was transferred to the General Political Department's Discipline Inspection Commission in 2015. In 2016, he served as the head of the Central Military Commission's Discipline Inspection Group stationed in the Northern Theater Command, and was promoted to Major General around 2017. In December 2019, he became a full-time Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission's Political and Legal Affairs Commission. In March 2023, he was promoted to Lieutenant General of the People's Armed Police Force and appointed Deputy Political Commissar. In December of the same year, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission's Discipline Inspection Commission. However, just three months later, his membership in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was revoked, signaling continued turmoil within the military hierarchy.
US media: He Weidong under investigation, PLA high-level political purge intensifies
Meanwhile, The Washington Times, citing two U.S. defense officials, reported that He Weidong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, has disappeared from public view and may have been politically purged by Xi Jinping. He Weidong was exceptionally promoted to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission by Xi Jinping in October 2022, but since the conclusion of this year's "Two Sessions," rumors have circulated that he is under investigation, and there are even reports that he has been taken away or placed under house arrest.
An insider who wishes to remain anonymous revealed to this station that He Weidong is currently under investigation by the Military Discipline Inspection Commission, and the scope of the investigation has expanded from the military to social connections: "The investigation involves the source of funds He Weidong used to privately purchase real estate in Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and other places, as well as his secretaries, subordinates and social network. The investigation involves more than 100 officials, and the discipline inspection commissions of several theater commands are also cooperating with the central government in the investigation."
In addition to He Weidong, recent reports have also linked Lin Xiangyang, commander of the Eastern Theater Command (ETC), and Wang Houbin, current commander of the PLA Rocket Force, to investigations. Lin Xiangyang is suspected of leaking Taiwan Strait combat plans. The ETC is the operational unit responsible for military operations against Taiwan.
Yuan Hongbing, a writer currently living in Australia, told this station that the He Weidong case is an aftermath of the fallen Miao Hua case (formerly a member of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China and Director of the Central Military Commission's Political Work Department). He said, "The Central Military Commission's Political Work Department is effectively a military spy system, responsible for comprehensive political and other oversight of officers. Furthermore, all officer promotions and appointments are subject to political and ideological review by the Political Work Department. Miao Hua, who has long headed this department, has cultivated and nurtured numerous personal networks. Rumors are circulating within the Chinese Communist Party military that 108 officers above the rank of major general, including He Weidong, have had personal relationships with Miao Hua, as well as over 500 officers at the colonel level."
Yuan Hongbing believes that Tang Yong, deputy secretary of the Military Discipline Inspection Commission, has close working ties with the CMC's Political Work Department, which Miao Hua oversees, and that the Military Discipline Inspection Commission is merely an executive body. Its investigations of military officers are subject to the directives of the CMC's Political Work Committee. He said, "It's clear that Tang Yong is a close associate of Miao Hua. Although the He Weidong case hasn't been officially confirmed, it was undoubtedly influenced by the Miao Hua case."
He Weidong, 67, served extensively in an army group on the front lines of the Taiwan Strait. In 2016, he was transferred to the Western Theater Command (WTC) as deputy commander and commander of the theater army. At the end of 2019, he assumed command of the Eastern Theater Command (ETC) and was promoted to general, continuing to oversee the defense of the Northeast China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. At the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), He Weidong was promoted to member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. To date, reports about He Weidong have primarily come from foreign media and online rumors and have not been officially confirmed.
US intelligence analysis: Xi Jinping strengthens control over military power
The Washington Times report also cited US intelligence analysis as saying that Xi Jinping has consistently lacked trust in senior PLA commanders in recent years, fearing they lack ideological conviction, and has therefore been carrying out a sustained political purge. A recent report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence stated that at least 43 senior PLA officers have been removed since Xi Jinping came to power. The report also cited the "political commissar system" within the Chinese military as a major weakness. This system, which installs politically reliable officers within the ranks but often lacks the professional command capabilities of regular commanders, is considered a major weakness. Furthermore, corruption remains a serious problem in the military, and a culture of "money above all else" remains entrenched.
In recent years, the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China has carried out several large-scale purges. In 2023, former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was dismissed, followed by the suspension of then-CMC member Miao Hua in November 2024. While these purges emphasize anti-corruption efforts, US analysts believe they are more aimed at ensuring Xi Jinping's personal power.
