China’s defence minister placed under investigation for corruption

China has put its defense minister under investigation in the latest corruption-related scandal to hit the top of the People’s Liberation Army, according to current and former US officials familiar with the situation, Report informs via Financial Times.

Admiral Dong Jun, who was named in December 2023 after his predecessor was fired for corruption, is being investigated as part of a broader probe into graft in the PLA, the US officials said.

He is the third consecutive serving or former defense minister to be investigated for alleged corruption.

Dong succeeded General Li Shangfu, who was ousted after just seven months in the job. Both men were appointed by President Xi Jinping.

The Financial Times was the first to report that US officials believed Li was under investigation for corruption.

Li had succeeded Wei Fenghe, who was also placed under investigation for corruption after he retired from the role.

The US official said Xi was conducting a wave of investigations into the PLA that had ensnared Dong.

It remains unclear what kind of corruption allegations he is facing.