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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.

Ma Xingrui abruptly stepped down as party boss of Xinjiang in July and has missed several key events since November. Photo: AP

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.

3 Apr 2026 - 7:53PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

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

7 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Two Sessions 2026

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

6 Mar 2026 - 5:52PMvideocam

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.

4 Mar 2026 - 6:05AMvideocam

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.

13 Feb 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

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.

2 Feb 2026 - 8:03PMvideocam

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.

8 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

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.

3 Jan 2026 - 8:42PMvideocam

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.

1 Jan 2026 - 12:59PMvideocam

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.

31 Dec 2025 - 4:54PM

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.

28 Dec 2025 - 4:59PM

Wang Renhua was elevated to the highest rank for officers in active service in March, 2024. Photo: CCTV

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.

26 Dec 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

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.

24 Dec 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

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.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:43PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front row, second from left), who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other leaders pose for a photo with the promoted military officers in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

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.

18 Dec 2025 - 6:03AM

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.

17 Dec 2025 - 6:48PMvideocam

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.

3 Dec 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

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.

14 Nov 2025 - 9:54AMvideocam

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.

5 Nov 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

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.

3 Nov 2025 - 5:22PMvideocam

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’.

27 Oct 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

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

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He Weidong

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’.

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