He Weidong. Provided by Baidu. 

China's Ministry of National Defense announced on the 17th (local time) that nine high-ranking officials, including He Weidong, the third-highest-ranked official in the military and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, have been expelled from the Communist Party of China and the military for serious violations of discipline and laws, including corruption charges.

According to China Central Television (CCTV), Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, revealed that the same decision was made for Miao Hualei, former Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission and the fifth-highest-ranked official in the military, as well as He Weidong.

This disciplinary action was announced ahead of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, scheduled to be held from the 20th to the 23rd.

These two individuals have been considered close associates of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and there were even speculations in some quarters that their downfall could indicate a potential shift in power within China's highest echelons.

The disciplinary action also includes He Hongjun, former Executive Deputy Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission; Wang Xiubin, former Executive Deputy Director of the Joint Operations Command Center of the Central Military Commission; Lin Xiangyang, former Commander of the Eastern Theater Command; Qin Shutong, former Political Commissar of the Army; Yuan Huazhi, former Political Commissar of the Navy; Wang Houbin, former Commander of the Rocket Force; and Wang Chunming, former Commander of the People's Armed Police Force.

"Investigation results show that these nine individuals are suspected of serious violations of party discipline and serious dereliction of duty," said Zhang, explaining, "The amounts involved are particularly large, the nature of the cases is very serious, and the impact is extremely malicious."

He added, "The Party Central Committee has decided to revoke the party membership of these nine individuals," stating that the revocation of party membership for eight of them, who are members of the Central Committee, will be ratified at the Fourth Plenary Session.

The revocation of their military status by the Central Military Commission has already been decided, and their criminal charges will be investigated and prosecuted by military prosecutors.

"The strict investigation and punishment of He Weidong, Miao Hualei, and others once again demonstrate the firm resolve of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission to pursue the anti-corruption struggle to the end," said Zhang.

He continued, "This is a significant achievement by the Party and the military in the anti-corruption struggle, and it has enabled the People's Liberation Army to possess even stronger cohesion and combat effectiveness."

He Weidong was appointed Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission in October 2022 and became a Vice Chairman of the State Central Military Commission in March of the following year, alongside Zhang Youxia.

Speculation about He Weidong's downfall began to surface after he did not appear in public forums following the closing ceremony of the National People's Congress (NPC) on March 11th, and foreign media reports subsequently emerged that he had been detained and investigated on corruption charges.

The position of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission is the highest rank in China's military, assisting President Xi Jinping, who serves as Chairman of the Party and State Central Military Commission, and managing the 2 million-strong People's Liberation Army. Purges of such high-ranking officials as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission are extremely rare in China.

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