People’s Daily republished an article from the PLA’s official website titled “The More Thorough the Anti-Corruption Struggle, the Stronger the Foundation for the Next Hundred Years,” framing the purge of former Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman He Weidong, CMC member Miao Hua, and other senior generals as a political necessity. The article emphasized:
“We must clearly understand that investigating and punishing major corruption cases involving He Weidong, Miao Hua, and others is a resolute struggle to defend the Party’s absolute leadership over the military, and a necessary step to eliminate the soil and conditions that allow corruption to grow.”
It further warned:
“If rotten elements are not thoroughly removed before the shots are fired, they will leave major risks to political security – consequences that would be unimaginable at a critical moment.”
The phrase “before the shots are fired” drew attention. According to former Central Party School professor Cai Xia, the purge was not initiated by Xi Jinping but was instead a preemptive counterattack launched by the other CMC Vice Chairman, Zhang Youxia. Xi’s review of weapons procurement and the sweeping corruption scandal in the Rocket Force had begun to encroach on Zhang’s sphere. Rather than wait, Zhang moved first, resulting in the takedown of He Weidong, Miao Hua, and multiple other generals.
Cai Xia further alleges:
“He Weidong and Miao Hua secretly planned to form a ‘private army’ in the Tianjin corridor – an armed force not subordinated to any theater command, intended to serve Xi Jinping in emergencies. Zhang Youxia uncovered the plan and used it as grounds to purge them.”
Sources:
1. People’s Daily, November 13, 2025
http://dangjian.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1113/c117092-40602812.html
2. Epoch Times, Novmeber 13, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/11/13/n14635190.htm