The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is intensifying its military purge following the third plenary session in July, leading to significant disruptions within the ranks. Internal reports reveal two incidents of resistance to investigations, resulting in multiple fatalities, including a suicide. Yuan Hong Bing, an Australia-based legal scholar with CCP connections, disclosed that in late October, the CCP Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the Military Discipline Inspection Commission issued a document titled “Notice on New Developments and Cadre Investigations.” This document detailed two cases.
In late August 2024, within the Central Theater Command, a logistics officer named Lou, holding the rank of Colonel, shot and killed two investigators from the Military Disciplinary Commission during an investigation and then took his own life with his service weapon. In early September, within the Southern Theater Command, a naval officer overseeing equipment, holding the rank of Senior Colonel, killed four investigators with his service weapon during an investigation. He was subsequently shot dead by nearby guards.
The CCP circulated the notice internally, instructing investigators to remain vigilant and wear bulletproof vests during high-risk investigations. These vests are now being centrally procured and distributed by the CCDI and the Military Commission. Yuan noted that the notice caused a significant stir in Beijing’s political circles. Previously, officials cornered by investigations would often take their own lives by jumping off buildings. Now, it seems they are escalating to armed resistance and direct confrontation with investigators.
Yuan believes that CCP officials harbour deep resentment toward Xi Jinping, with some taking extreme measures out of rebellion. Instead of reflecting on their own corruption, these officials retaliate against investigators. Their mindset is, “Why should I be investigated? It’s only because I lack the right connections with senior leaders that I’m being targeted. Every official has skeletons in their closet, and those investigating me might be even dirtier than I am.” This sense of injustice fuels their defiance.
This wave of resistance is spreading among CCP officials in both civilian and military sectors, particularly following large-scale purges in the military. Since last year, the CCP has subjected numerous military leaders to investigations, including two former defence ministers, the leadership of the Rocket Force, the Strategic Support Force, and over 100 senior officials in the military-industrial sector. The leadership of the Military Equipment Department has also been thoroughly investigated.
On November 28th, the Director of the Central Military Commission’s Political Work Department, Miao Hua, came under investigation. Current Rocket Force Commander Wang Hobin and Defence Minister Dong Jun have reportedly also been implicated in the Miao Hua case. Recently, information in Beijing political circles suggested that Lu Yuan, the son of former Chinese President Lu Shaoqi and a retired general, submitted a letter to the CCP Central Committee expressing grave concerns.
Yuan Hong Bing revealed some details of the letter, allegedly leaked by conscientious individuals within the CCP. In the letter, Lu Yuan reportedly warned of a political crisis threatening the CCP’s rule, citing widespread discontent among officials and instability within the military. He wrote that many officers now keep loaded firearms with them at all times, prepared to fight to the death with investigators if arrested. They would rather die in confrontation than endure the humiliation of imprisonment.
On December 10, Yu Jianhua, the head of the General Administration of Customs and a former special envoy of Xi Jinping, reportedly took his own life using a gun in his office after being summoned for questioning by the CCDI. However, official statements issued the following day claimed that Yu died of sudden illness, leaving the true cause of his death unclear.
Yuan also highlighted a growing trend of corruption involving cryptocurrency. Higher-ranking officials often use cryptocurrency wallets to facilitate bribes and transfer wealth abroad, circumventing traditional anti-corruption measures. Officials below the county level or military brigade rank generally engage in more traditional forms of bribery. However, senior officials have increasingly adopted sophisticated methods, including the use of cryptocurrency wallets. For instance, the senior colonel from the Southern Theater Command reportedly used a cryptocurrency wallet to transfer funds abroad through an intermediary, emboldening him to resist investigation.
A 2022 article published in “Theory and Reform,” a journal run by the CCP Sichuan Provincial Party School, acknowledged the difficulty of addressing new forms of corruption. It described how corrupt officials exploit financial innovations such as shadow banking, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized finance protocols to conduct illicit transactions and launder money.
In conclusion, the CCP’s ongoing military purge has led to significant disruptions and resistance within the ranks. The use of cryptocurrency for corruption and the increasing willingness of officials to resort to violence highlight deep-seated issues within the CCP. As the purge continues, the CCP faces the challenge of maintaining control and stability within its military and political structures.