Dong Jun Under Investigation, Zhang Youxia’s Counter-Cleansing Reaches Xi’s Core Circle

Caption: Rumors from Beijing suggest a move to topple the "New Gang of Four." (People News graphic)

[People News] The British Financial Times on November 27 quoted “informed current and former U.S. officials” as reporting that China’s current Minister of Defense, Dong Jun, is under investigation for corruption. When asked about this news, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded with just four words: “Groundless rumors.”

The information suggests that significant political and military turbulence is unfolding within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), particularly in the military hierarchy. On November 10, overseas independent commentator Cai Shenkun disclosed that General Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and Director of the Political Work Department, was taken away for investigation by the CMC Discipline Inspection Commission on November 9. Subsequently, journalist Zhao Lanjian reported that Beijing’s “Red Second Generation” circles on WeChat widely circulated rumors that Miao Hua had been escorted from his home with a black hood over his head. In recent days, reports on overseas social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), have suggested that other high-ranking military officials are also under investigation. These include Lin Xiangyang, commander of the Eastern Theater Command, Wang Chunning, Commander of the People’s Armed Police, and Yao Danjiang, Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Central Theater Air Force.

Miao Hua, Lin Xiangyang, and Wang Chunning are considered close confidants of Xi Jinping within the military. If the rumors are accurate, Zhang Youxia’s counter-purge appears to have reached Xi Jinping’s core military circle, signaling an intensification of the power struggle between Zhang and Xi. The conflict between Zhang and Xi is becoming increasingly overt.

Unlike the earlier reports about Miao Hua, Lin Xiangyang, and Wang Chunning, the news of Defense Minister Dong Jun’s investigation was first exclusively revealed by the prominent international outlet Financial Times. Other major media outlets, including Reuters, Radio France Internationale, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Deutsche Welle, have since cited this report. This lends greater credibility to the claims, especially when juxtaposed with the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning’s seemingly defensive response.

The Financial Times previously accurately reported the investigation into Dong Jun’s predecessor, Li Shangfu, who was considered an ally of Zhang Youxia. Li, who joined the CMC in October 2022 and was appointed Minister of Defense in March 2023, disappeared from public view after his last appearance on August 29 at a China-Africa Peace and Security forum. On September 7, Li missed the annual meeting on China-Vietnam border defense cooperation, with Chinese officials notifying Hanoi that he was “unwell.” On September 11, when asked why Li had been missing for two weeks, Mao Ning claimed ignorance.

On September 15, Financial Times reported that three U.S. officials and two informed sources confirmed that Li had been dismissed as Defense Minister. This was later formalized on October 24 during the sixth session of the 14th National People’s Congress Standing Committee, which announced Li’s removal as State Councilor, CMC member, and Minister of Defense, ending his term after just six months.

Dong Jun, appointed Defense Minister on December 29, 2023, held the position for less than a year before falling under investigation. Although he hails from Shandong and was reportedly associated with Peng Liyuan’s Shandong faction, his career prospects were not considered promising, as he had not been promoted to CMC member or State Councilor. His sudden downfall may be connected to Miao Hua’s investigation, further suggesting that Miao’s ousting is not baseless speculation.

On November 27, Taiwanese media outlet Central News Agency published an article titled "Reports of Dong Jun Being Investigated: Persistent Rumors of CCP Military Top Brass Facing Scrutiny". The article pointed out that since mid-November, rumors have been circulating on overseas Chinese-language websites that Miao Hua, Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and a naval admiral, was recently taken away for investigation by the CMC Discipline Inspection Commission. Following reports by foreign media about Dong Jun being under investigation, comparisons between Dong Jun and Miao Hua have sparked widespread online discussions.

Miao Hua, a key confidant of Xi Jinping in the military and associated with Xi's "Fujian clique," previously served in the 31st Group Army. His downfall is said to have jeopardized the positions of many officials he promoted, including Defense Minister Dong Jun, newly appointed Navy Commander Hu Zhongming, Wang Houbin (who was promoted from Deputy Commander of the Navy to Commander of the Rocket Force), Eastern Theater Commander Lin Xiangyang, and Commander of the People’s Armed Police Wang Chunning.

Who Took Down Miao Hua? Online speculation largely attributes Miao Hua's arrest to Zhang Youxia. Since the 20th Party Congress, Xi Jinping has aggressively purged top Rocket Force officials and, subsequently, Defense Minister Li Shangfu—both considered Zhang Youxia’s allies. There are rumors that at the Third Plenum, a power struggle between Zhang Youxia and Xi Jinping escalated, during which Xi reportedly suffered a sudden stroke. This allegedly allowed political elders to align with Zhang and defecting Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong to overthrow Xi. Following the Third Plenum, Xi's military authority reportedly shifted into Zhang Youxia's hands.

Over the past two months, Zhang Youxia has systematically targeted Xi's grassroots allies within the military. This includes figures such as General Qin Shutong (former Political Commissar of the Army), Qin Shengxiang (head of the Military Reform Office), Lieutenant General Li Huohui (Deputy Commander of the Army), and General Zhang Mingcai—individuals considered loyalists from Xi’s 31st Group Army faction. These actions suggest a “counter-purge” within the military led by Zhang Youxia, specifically aimed at dismantling Xi Jinping’s influence following the Third Plenum.

Since the Third Plenum, the prevalence of Xi-centric terminology—such as "Xi Jinping Thought," "Xi Jinping's Strong Military Thought," and "the Chairman Responsibility System"—has noticeably decreased in state media. Senior CCP officials appear to be avoiding these terms in their public speeches. Moreover, recent shifts in China’s economic and foreign policies represent a dramatic departure from Xi’s previous directives. Analysts suggest that Xi's power has been significantly curtailed, with some speculating that he might be forced to relinquish his position at the Fourth Plenum.

In a recent program, overseas commentator Chen Pokong analyzed Wang Huning’s increased prominence. Wang has been attending high-profile events with senior officials, leading some to speculate that he is being positioned to replace Xi as General Secretary at the Fourth Plenum, as part of a compromise among various factions within the CCP. A longer-term successor may emerge at the 21st Party Congress.

Since the Third Plenum, the CCP’s internal dynamics have been fraught with intense power struggles, while external pressures—such as widespread public dissatisfaction and a potential return of Trump-era tariffs—have left the regime in a precarious position. The internal power struggle in Zhongnanhai appears increasingly volatile, with the CCP’s survival at stake. However, CCP power struggles are often a zero-sum game, with life-or-death consequences for those involved.

X user "Wanjun Xie" recently posted that, according to insiders, Admiral Miao Hua confessed after his arrest. He alleged that Xi Jinping had secretly instructed him to liaise with military leaders to plan a coup and wrest military control back from Zhang Youxia. However, the plan failed when it was exposed, leading to Miao Hua's arrest. Defense Minister Dong Jun is reportedly another key figure involved in the failed coup attempt.

Other rumors on X suggest that Miao Hua’s confirmed downfall will trigger a massive chain reaction within the military. Meanwhile, Zhang Youxia reportedly remains unperturbed, hosting frequent banquets at his residence to consolidate his position.

Public records show that Dong Jun was last seen on November 21 at the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Laos.

Implications of Dong Jun’s Fall

If Dong Jun is indeed removed, it will set a historical precedent: three consecutive Defense Ministers implicated in corruption. This would undoubtedly become an international laughingstock. Adding to the irony, these officials have consistently adopted a "wolf warrior" stance in diplomacy, delivering aggressive, bullying rhetoric reminiscent of North Korea.

At the recent ASEAN meeting, Dong Jun refused a proposed meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to demonstrate his "toughness." However, this crude and confrontational approach to diplomacy has not spared him from his looming downfall. Ultimately, aligning with the wrong faction has proven to be the fatal mistake for many.

(Originally published by People News)