China Labels Ousted Generals as Traitors, PLA Daily Accuses Them of Betraying Party and Army Integrity

Beijing: The Chinese military on Friday accused nine generals expelled from the Communist Party of seriously undermining the principle of military loyalty to the party. It also accused them of seriously damaging the unity of the military and the image of senior officers. An editorial published in the Chinese military newspaper, PLA Daily, also said the nine generals – including He Weidong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and a member of the 24-member Politburo – were "betraying" their trust and losing their "purity."

Big allegation on Chinese generals

The PLA Daily also accused him of "completely abandoning his beliefs" as a party member. The accusations of betrayal and loss of integrity are reminiscent of the language used during the investigation and expulsion of former Defense Minister Wei Fenghe from the party last year. The strange wording of the accusations against Wei has fueled speculation about whether he was complicit by foreign forces, though the party has not released any details.

Accused of weakening the Chinese army

Saturday's editorial said the nine generals had seriously damaged the principles that the party should command the military and the principle that the military is accountable to the chairman of the CMC, headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

PLA Daily slams dismissed generals

The PLA Daily said of the expelled generals, "They have seriously damaged the military's political ecology and dealt a severe blow to the foundation of the political ideology that had strengthened the military's unity and progress." The editorial further wrote, "They have caused great damage to the image of the party, defense, and military, as well as to senior military cadres." It said the nine generals would face investigation and prosecution by military prosecutors.

He Weidong Dismissal Debate

The sudden announcement of the mass dismissals on Friday comes just days before the fourth plenary meeting of the Central Committee, the party's top policy-making body, which will discuss strengthening unity and a five-year plan amid a wider rivalry with the US.

He Weidong, China's second-highest general to be sacked, is the first serving member of the Politburo, the party's top decision-making body, to face such scrutiny. He is also the third CMC member to be removed since the current line-up took office in 2022.

Which generals were dismissed by China?

In addition to He, the generals under investigation and expelled from both the party and the military include Miao Hua, a former CMC member in charge of the military's political, ideological, and personnel work; He Hongjun, Miao's deputy and former executive; and Wang Xiubin, former executive deputy director of the CMC Joint Operations Command Center.

Other generals include 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, the PLA's nuclear branch; and Wang Chuning, former commander of the People's Armed Police Force.