China’s Defense Minister Reportedly Under Investigation Amid Anti-Corruption Drive

China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun has reportedly been placed under investigation, according to a report by the Financial Times on Wednesday, which cited unnamed U.S. officials.

Dong, appointed in December 2023 as part of a reshuffle authorized by President Xi Jinping, is now the third consecutive defense minister—either serving or recently retired—to face allegations of corruption, should the investigation be confirmed.

Official Response and Context

When questioned about the report, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed the claims as “just shadow-chasing,” according to Reuters.

The Financial Times quoted a U.S. official who suggested Dong’s case is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign targeting the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), although the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed.

Dong recently attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense ministers’ meeting in Laos, engaging with regional counterparts such as Japan’s Gen Nakatani. However, he reportedly declined a meeting request from U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, with the Chinese defense ministry later attributing this to tensions over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

Pattern of Probes in Defense Leadership

If confirmed, Dong’s investigation continues a pattern of scrutiny over China’s top military leadership. His predecessor, Li Shangfu, was removed in October after serving less than a year, while Li’s predecessor, Wei Fenghe, was also investigated for corruption following his retirement.

This series of probes underscores President Xi’s intensified efforts to combat corruption within the PLA, a critical component of his broader governance agenda.

The development adds to the challenges facing China’s defense leadership amid rising regional tensions and deteriorating Sino-U.S. relations.