Is a Great Catastrophe Looming? A Military Industry Tycoon Faces Trouble, With Deadly Betrayal at the Core?

The CCP military is riddled with corruption, severely weakening its combat effectiveness. (Graphic by People News)

[People News] If a nation's top military secrets cannot even be safeguarded by their 'biological father,' what remains of that nation? In recent days, a resume capable of shaking the military industry suddenly turned 'blank' on the official website.

This individual is a legendary figure who personally developed the J-20, yet at the height of his fame and success, he has seemingly vanished. Shortly thereafter, ten central military enterprises that control the lifeblood of the industry collectively collapsed, leading to an unprecedented personnel tsunami. This is not merely a change in personnel; rather, someone behind the scenes has ripped apart the long-concealed 'Emperor's New Clothes.'

In the past few days, the official websites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering quietly updated their 'full list of the academy.' What was initially a routine administrative action was noted by keen observers who uncovered a shocking detail: the resumes of four top military academicians were removed, causing them to 'disappear' from the internet. In the opaque system of the Chinese Communist Party, this kind of 'quietly taken offline' is almost a signal of trouble.

The most shocking revelation is that Yang Wei, known as the 'father of China's J-20' and the chief designer privy to the most sensitive secrets of the Chinese Air Force's stealth fighter, is also prominently mentioned.

This situation is not merely about a few individuals; it indicates a complete collapse of leadership among the ten military-industrial central enterprises of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). From the Rocket Force to the aviation industry, and from nuclear weapon research to radar detection, why are these military giants undergoing a massive purge at a time when the threat of war is imminent? Is it due to corruption? Is it fraud? Or is it the most troubling issue for the supreme leader: 'insider leaks'?

The collective disappearance of the leaders of the 'national heavyweights'

Let’s first examine this alarming 'missing persons list'.

According to the latest updates from the official website of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, three academicians who previously held positions in top military-industrial groups have been expelled. They are: Wu Manqing, the former Vice President of the Academy, Zhao Xiangeng, and Wei Yiyin, the former Deputy General Manager of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.

These names may seem unfamiliar, but a look at their backgrounds will surely send chills down your spine.

Wu Manqing: A leading expert in radar technology and network information systems. In modern warfare, radar serves as the military's eyes; without Wu Manqing's expertise, the PLA's air defence network could be rendered ineffective.

Zhao Xiangeng: An even more significant figure. He is a condensed matter and nuclear physicist, having previously served as the president of the China Academy of Engineering Physics, which is central to the CCP's nuclear weapon research. He has been a principal leader in CCP nuclear weapon research following the nuclear testing ban, participating in and leading several major national defense projects.

Wei Yiyin: A prominent figure in missile design and guidance control technology. In essence, the accuracy of the CCP's missiles, which pose threats to aircraft carriers and other nations' territories, hinges entirely on its technological expertise.

The disappearance of these three individuals indicates that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has lost all its technical leaders in the three key areas of national defence: radar, nuclear weapons, and missiles.

However, this is not the most significant development. On March 17, the Chinese media outlet Caixin reported discreetly that the official website of the Chinese Academy of Sciences had removed the resume of Yang Wei. Who is Yang Wei? He is a candidate member of the 19th Central Committee of the CCP and the chief designer of the J-20 stealth fighter. His position in the military industry is comparable to the very soul of the aviation sector.

In fact, there were early warning signs regarding Yang Wei's situation. As early as January 2025, the official website of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) indicated that both Yang Wei and General Manager Hao Zhaoping had been dismissed. Prior to this, the former head of AVIC, Tan Ruishong, and former Chairman Zhou Xinmin had already been removed from their positions.

It seems that AVIC is under a 'curse': once someone reaches a high position, they are destined to fall.

This issue extends beyond AVIC. In recent years, the leadership of the CCP's military industrial state-owned enterprises has been almost entirely uprooted. Wu Yansheng from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Liu Shiquan from the China North Industries Group, and even former Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong —these key figures overseeing the production of the CCP's advanced weaponry are now either mysteriously missing or under investigation.

The authorities have never revealed the specific charges against them, leading to public speculation about the extent of the dark secrets involved.

The 'Emperor's New Clothes' of stealth fighters

In light of this major purge, the most immediate speculation from observers is corruption. After all, within the CCP's system, there is not a single official who is free from corruption, especially in the highly lucrative military industry.

However, would a leader really choose to arrest all the tech giants simply out of greed, especially at a time of heightened international tensions? This seems illogical. Gong Xiangsheng, a deputy researcher at a Taiwanese think tank, argues that the troubles faced by these 'big players' in the military-industrial sector are indicative of a major purge by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A series of purges has affected various sectors, from the General Equipment Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to the Rocket Force, involving issues of collusion and corruption. It is possible that deficiencies in materials or designs were found in PLA weapons, or that severe corruption within the industry led to the inspection of substandard weapons during arms exports to countries like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, prompting the crackdown.

We must address a rather uncomfortable reality here. For years, the CCP has touted the J-20 as a world-leading fifth-generation stealth fighter, capable of rivalling the United States' F-22 and F-35. Yang Wei has been elevated to a position of great reverence as a result. However, the truth may be as absurd as the tale of 'the emperor's new clothes.'

In the analysis by political commentator Chen Pokoong, he presents a particularly ironic perspective: the 'stealth' capabilities of the J-20 may exist only in official reports. Rumours suggest that during a weapons inspection, a leader found that the J-20 lacks the advertised stealth capabilities during actual combat drills or radar tests.

This situation resembles the trickster from Andersen's fairy tale, who told the emperor, 'Only wise people can see this outfit.' The military-industrial magnates told Xi Jinping, 'This is the most advanced stealth aircraft.' Everyone pretended to be wise and exclaimed, 'So magnificent,' but when the crucial moment came, they discovered that the aircraft was completely visible on radar, essentially 'running naked.'

Additionally, the performance of weapons supplied by the Chinese Communist Party on the international stage has been disappointing. For example, during the conflict between Pakistan and India, the CCP claimed that its fighter jets shot down an Indian Air France aircraft, but this was ultimately proven to be false news. In the recent strikes against Iran, the Chinese-made air defence systems used by Iran were revealed to be nothing more than 'tofu dregs projects,' completely ineffective against American and Israeli drones.

When a certain leader realises that the 'strong military dream' he allocated trillions of dollars to create is actually a collection of paper-mâché fakes, his anger is understandable. This kind of 'deceiving the emperor' crime is the direct catalyst for the collective downfall of the military-industrial elite.

The deadliest betrayal—leaks and moles

If faking is merely an embarrassment for a certain leader, then leaks send a chill down his spine.

Yu Zongji, the former president of the Taiwan Political Warfare College, pointed out to Radio Free Asia that the dismissal of the key person responsible for weapon development indicates a serious issue of disloyalty or intelligence betrayal within the CCP.

This is not without basis. Everyone remembers the previous major purge of the Rocket Force, right? At that time, the entire high command of the Rocket Force was 'taken down in one fell swoop' because the U.S. had obtained extremely detailed intelligence regarding the CCP's missile distribution, models, and even the names of those in charge.

Currently, history is repeating itself within the military-industrial complex. The U.S. has recently made an accurate assessment that the so-called 'sixth-generation fighter jet' revealed at the Zhuhai Airshow is merely a bomber. This level of accuracy suggests that engineering personnel within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may have already been compromised.

Furthermore, the U.S. has disclosed specific locations, transportation methods, and testing details of China's nuclear arsenal. Following this revelation, the CCP swiftly arrested Zhao Xiangeng and two other academicians associated with nuclear weapons. Shortly thereafter, Yang Wei and Hao Zhaoping also faced repercussions.

What does this imply? It indicates that within a regime that highly values its advanced weapons stockpile, there are U.S. informants everywhere. Some speculate that during the development of the J-20, Yang Wei may have provided core parameters to the U.S., enabling the U.S. military to gain absolute 'air superiority' on the battlefield.

Chen Pokong argues that for the leader, many individuals around him, from retired high-ranking officials to current generals, harbour dissatisfaction. These military elites who possess critical secrets may sell intelligence not only for financial gain but also as a form of political manoeuvring or revenge.

The instability of military morale and the looming threat of 'rebellion'

In the wake of this series of arrests, the political climate within the Communist Party has reached a boiling point.

Previously, after military leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli entered a 'mysterious state,' rumours circulated about an 'internal major list' within the military. It is reported that 25 military leaders have united to urge the military to stop acting as the 'personal bodyguards' of the leader and instead to stand up for the common people, allowing the country to return to normalcy.

While the authenticity of this 'Uprising Announcement' is hard to confirm, it highlights a significant reality: there is a strong ideological current within the military that is deeply dissatisfied with the CCP's extensive purges.

Notably, Zhang Youxia has been in charge of logistics support for a long time and has intricate ties to the military-industrial sector. The CCP's aggressive actions against the military-industrial system likely aim to eradicate the remnants of Zhang Youxia's influence. Recent online reports suggest that among the 25 military leaders who signed the announcement, several have indeed faced downfall subsequently.

However, this relentless internal conflict is severely undermining the combat effectiveness of the People's Liberation Army. When all the designers are preoccupied with fears of arrest and all the generals are focused on self-preservation, who can genuinely dedicate themselves to studying military strategies?

The turmoil within the CCP has also sparked a ripple effect internationally.

In Iran, we observe that leaders who depend on military technical support from the CCP are currently encountering devastating setbacks. Israel's sudden military action, leveraging precise intelligence and drones, has successfully targeted and eliminated Iran's second-in-command, security chief Larijani, on the streets of Tehran.

Larijani, who was once a guest of Xi Jinping, has become invisible in the face of Israeli and American intelligence networks. This further demonstrates that the CCP's so-called 'security system' and 'advanced weaponry' are completely inadequate against genuine modern military capabilities.

As public support wanes, retribution is bound to follow.

The arrest of the father of the J-20 serves as a mere reflection of the collapse of the CCP's military-industrial sector.

The recent upheaval involving ten central enterprises has unveiled a harsh reality: a military empire founded on lies, deception, and fear lacks any real foundation.

As military experts focus on fabricating information to satisfy their superiors, senior generals are preoccupied with leaking secrets in search of a way out, and lower-ranking soldiers ponder their future while looking at the 'uprising announcement', the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) so-called 'strong military dream' is merely an illusion that could collapse at any moment.

As the saying goes, when the people's trust is lost, wrongdoing will inevitably lead to retribution. The year 2026 may indeed prove to be a significant 'hurdle'.
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