By The Straits Times | Created at 2024-11-27 02:37:24 | Updated at 2024-11-27 05:51:11
3 hours ago
Updated
Nov 27, 2024, 10:36 AM
Published
Nov 27, 2024, 10:14 AM
BEIJING - China Defence Minister Dong Jun has been placed under investigation as part of a wide-ranging anti-corruption probe that has reached the top ranks of the People’s Liberation Army, the Financial Times reported on Nov 27.
Mr Dong is the third consecutive serving or former Chinese defence minister to be investigated for alleged corruption, the FT reported, citing current and former US officials.
Mr Dong attended a gathering of military leaders from around the world last week in Laos, where he declined to meet with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. China placed the blame on the US, urging it to “immediately correct mistakes” on Taiwan and to respect Beijing’s core interests.
A former navy commander, Mr Dong was appointed defence minister in December 2023 following the surprise removal of Li Shangfu just seven months into the job.
Li was later expelled from the ruling Communist Party for offences including suspected bribery, state media said.
His predecessor, Wei Fenghe, was also kicked out of the party and passed on to prosecutors over alleged corruption.
Beijing has deepened a crackdown on alleged graft in the armed forces over the past year, with President Xi Jinping in November ordering the military to stamp out corruption and strengthen their “war-preparedness”.
Reuters has sought comment from the Foreign Ministry. REUTERS, AFP, BLOOMBERG
