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US intelligence officials have told media that Chinese missile stocks had been filled with water instead of fuel amid ongoing allegations of widespread corruption.
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Intelligence officers have alleged that widespread corruption in the Chinese military has seen missile stocks filled with water rather than fuel, a report by Bloomberg has outlined. The Chinese military is also examining missile siloes that may in fact impede the launch of housed missiles due to ill-functioning lids.
According to the recent reports, the extent of the corruption in the Chinese military is expected to be so broad that those intelligence officials speaking to Bloomberg believe that China would be less capable of taking military action over the coming years, having dented government confidence in the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force.
China’s ongoing military purge
The allegations have surfaced just days after it was revealed that nine of China’s top military leaders had been removed from the nation’s governing body during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress, including five current and former members of the Rocket Force.
The meeting also saw the appointment of China’s newest defence minister Dong Jun following a year of uncertainty in the ministerial portfolio. Dong has served as the Commander of the PLA-Navy since 2021.
In March, then defence minister and former Rocket Force commander Wei Fenghe was replaced as defence minister by Li Shangfu. Li was then himself ousted from the position in September. Neither individual has been sighted since.
Chinese daily news admits military corruption
PRC English language news outlet the Global Times this week reported on admissions from the People’s Liberation Army that the Chinese government has been actively engaged in rooting out corruption within the ranks of the Chinese military.
The report detailed that: “The Chinese military has achieved significant victories in fighting against corruption whereas it is necessary to be aware that there still exist occasional instances of violations of laws among officials and soldiers in spite of strict measures and management, the PLA Daily commented recently, noting to the PLA will take preventive measures against the problems in advance.
“To address the emerging issues, the notice suggested comprehensive means such as talking and reminding, criticising and educating, ordering and inspections should be adopted in a timely manner without avoidance, concealment or protection. This approach will make officers and soldiers to recognise and admit their mistakes, improve through education and reminders, and grow healthily under the organisation’s care.”
So where does this leave the PLA?
The recently confirmed, though widely suspected, suggestions of corruption have raised eyebrows among the national security community regarding China’s military capabilities. And indeed, such a broad purge of the PLA’s top cadre does indicate the depth of corruption that has plagued Chinese military procurement.
Paul Dibb, author of Australia’s 1987 Defence White Paper, has long explained that systemic corruption in China has stymied genuine defence innovation and invariably limits the PLA’s ability to achieve a qualitative overmatch vis-à-vis the West.
Though ultimately, the impact of the recent findings on global stability and the Indo-Pacific will rest on just how far this corruption went – and just how hollow the People’s Liberation Army may (or may not) be.
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