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He Weidong

He Weidong
The latest news and updates on He Weidong, a prominent general in the People’s Liberation Army, having served as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and a Politburo member until March 2025. His extensive career includes commanding the Eastern Theatre Command, with responsibilities for operations concerning Taiwan, and holding various other significant military district and theatre command roles. Known for his involvement in military modernisation and anti-corruption efforts, his recent public absence has led to widespread speculation of an ongoing investigation for alleged graft, marking a significant development in China’s anti-corruption purge within the military.
Illustration: Henry Wong
China’s Communist Party

Why is China’s Communist Party intent on control over the military?

Beijing’s anti-corruption clean-up of the military reflects a historic commitment to party control, ensuring the armed forces strictly serve party goals.

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China’s Communist Party

China’s top military officials face ‘ironclad’ rules in anti-corruption fight

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Will US defence strategy architect Colby pave the way for Hegseth’s China visit?

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Mainland China

Editorial | Suspended sentences reaffirm that no one is immune from China’s anti-graft drive

China needs a powerful military force to defend national interests at home and abroad. Tolerance of corruption is incompatible with that goal.

Former Chinese defence ministers Li Shangfu (left) and Wei Fenghe were sentenced on Thursday after being found guilty of corruption. Photo composite: AP and Reuters
Corruption in China

Fate of China’s ex-defence heads shows party won’t allow disloyalty: state media

Editorial from Chinese military’s official newspaper marks the first time that Li Shangfu has been labelled a traitor.

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China’s Communist Party

Ma Xingrui becomes China’s third Politburo member investigated for corruption

Former Communist Party chief of Xinjiang is under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline and law’, according to state news agency Xinhua.

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China’s Communist Party

Xi Jinping’s zero-fail mission for China’s military: total loyalty, no corruption

President underlines his strict ideological line to the PLA’s diminished delegation to the NPC.

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The PLA’s delegation to the NPC has shrunk from 281 members in 2023 to 243 this year. Photo: Reuters
Two Sessions 2026

China’s last CMC general standing urges more ‘political rectification’ for PLA

Combat readiness and loyalty to Xi Jinping also highlighted in Central Military Commission vice-chairman’s remarks at ‘two sessions’.

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Corruption in China

China’s war on corruption – is this just the end of the beginning?

More ‘tigers’ are being culled than ever before in a campaign that could be becoming the new normal.

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China’s Communist Party

What is China’s Central Military Commission and how does it function?

The downfall of two more members of the top command body has left just Xi Jinping and one other member active.

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Zhang Shengmin is the last uniformed general remaining on the commission. Photo: Handout
Corruption in China

Zhang Youxia probe to end ‘watered-down’ military capability: PLA Daily

Investigation and in-depth political rectification to bring in new atmosphere and positive spirit, commentary in official military paper says.

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The official PLA Daily has urged China’s armed forces to “resolutely carry on the fight against corruption through to the end”. Photo: Xinhua
China’s military

Opinion | How China’s history links military strength to fighting corruption

Lessons from the first Sino-Japanese War in 1895 shape Beijing’s drive to build a PLA defined by not just advanced weapons, but also institutional integrity.

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China’s Communist Party

China steps up anti-corruption fight as crackdown snares 65 ‘tigers’ in 2025

Communist Party mouthpiece calls for tighter discipline in coming years, echoing Xi Jinping’s New Year’s address.

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China’s Communist Party

We must not give corrupt officials any hiding place, Xi tells cadres

Chinese leader told key meeting in October that the fight against graft remained ‘grim and complex’, according to excerpts from speech.

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President Xi Jinping has again emphasised that corruption is “the greatest threat” facing the Communist Party. Photo: Xinhua
Corruption in China

China’s never-ending anti-corruption campaign: 2025 tracker

In 2025, graft-busters launched corruption investigations against 65 senior Chinese officials, including eight of ministerial-level.

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Corruption in China

China’s anti-corruption campaign claims 3 more top military officers

Two generals and an admiral have been expelled from the national legislature after noticeable absences in recent months.

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Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

China vows to keep up the fight after record ‘tigers’ caught in corruption net

Politburo agrees to push forward campaign and calls for graft-busters to provide ‘guarantee’ for nation’s economic and social development.

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China’s Communist Party

Top PLA Air Force duo miss key military event led by Xi as graft fight rolls on

Generals Chang Dingqiu and Guo Puxiao were not present at PLA promotions ceremony on Monday, footage broadcast by CCTV shows.

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President Xi Jinping (centre), also chairman of the CMC, poses with top military officers at the promotions ceremony in Beijing on Monday. Pictured at the back are newly promoted generals Yang Zhibin (left) and Han Shengyan. Photo: AP
Mainland China

Xi promotes PLA commanders overseeing Taiwan Strait, Beijing to full general

Announcements suggest the dust has begun to settle following a massive purge in the military over corruption concerns.

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China's military weapons

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

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Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

Newcomers in charge at PLA’s corruption-hit command overseeing Taiwan

State media shows Yang Zhibin and Zhang Jichun at official event, suggesting they are heading the Eastern Theatre Command.

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PLA Air Force Lieutenant General Yang Zhibin, pictured in uniform, is shown at the annual commemoration of the Nanking massacre on Saturday. Photo: CCTV
China military reform

Chinese military issues new rules to ‘prioritise strict political discipline’

Effective in January, latest revisions come amid Beijing’s anti-corruption campaign that has led to recent downfall of several top generals.

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Military delegates walk in Tiananmen Square in Beijing as they arrive for a meeting of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, on March 8. Photo: EPA-EFE
China’s fourth plenum

How Xi’s ongoing battle against PLA corruption shapes China’s military future

The fight against graft in the armed forces is set to become one of the national priorities for the next five years.

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China’s fourth plenum

China’s top general vows to crack down on ‘fake loyalty’ and ‘two-faced men’

Zhang Youxia calls for military to eliminate ‘poisonous influences and long-standing problems’ and to accelerate weapons development.

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China’s Communist Party

Communist Party discipline key to meeting China’s 5-year plan goals: Cai Qi

‘Self-governance’ is essential if the country is to tackle challenges and opportunities, ideology chief says.

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Cai Qi has called on the party to be united in mind and action on central policy. Photo: AFP
China’s Communist Party

PLA mouthpiece puts focus on ‘political rectification’ after generals purged

PLA Daily calls for vigilance, contemplation of the dangers of ‘greed’ and for stability amid the ‘raging waves of temptation’.

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China’s powerful Central Military Commission is chaired by Xi Jinping. Photo: Xinhua
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