WASHINGTON – The Pentagon recently released a report that suggests corruption in China’s military could delay the country’s efforts to modernize its military by 2027. The report, shared on Wednesday, highlights how corruption could be slowing down the progress China had planned to make toward building a stronger and more advanced military.
Anti-Corruption Efforts and Their Impact
Over the past year, China has been carrying out a major crackdown on corruption in its military. Just last month, China’s defense ministry revealed that a high-ranking military official had been suspended and was under investigation for serious violations. Between July and December 2023, at least 15 top military officers and executives in China’s defense industry were removed from their positions due to corruption.
The Pentagon’s report suggests that these actions might be disrupting the military’s plans to meet its modernization goals by 2027. The report explained that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which is China’s main military force, faced “a new wave of corruption-related investigations” that could slow down its progress.
China’s Military Modernization Plans
China has set ambitious goals for its military modernization by 2027. These goals include upgrading its military technology, improving how the military works, and increasing the speed of changes in weapons, personnel, and equipment. U.S. officials have also stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed the military to be ready to take action, including potentially invading Taiwan, by 2027.
However, the Pentagon believes that corruption is causing setbacks. Ely Ratner, a U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense, mentioned that the removal of senior officials is probably just the beginning of a much larger issue. China’s government wouldn’t be taking such serious anti-corruption measures unless they felt that corruption was hurting the military’s ability to function well.
The Effects of Corruption on the Military
U.S. defense experts believe that this crackdown could create problems in the lower ranks of the military as well, leading to fear and hesitation, which could slow down progress. The anti-corruption campaign is also hurting military projects, especially in China’s defense industry, where important projects could be delayed.
Corruption in Key Military Areas
The Pentagon pointed out that corruption was also found in China’s Rocket Force, which is responsible for the country’s most advanced missiles, including nuclear weapons. The corruption in this important military branch could lower the confidence that China’s leaders have in their military’s readiness, especially since the Rocket Force handles nuclear missions.
Taiwan and the Bigger Picture
China’s ultimate goal for military modernization is related to its desire to control Taiwan, a democratic island that Beijing sees as part of its territory. Over the past several years, China has increased its military presence around Taiwan, despite objections from Taiwan’s government. However, most Taiwanese people still believe that an invasion in the next five years is unlikely, even though they see China as a serious threat.
Despite China’s efforts to modernize its military, it is not clear if it is getting closer to solving the problems needed to successfully invade Taiwan. U.S. officials have been working hard to keep up with China’s military advancements to protect the Indo-Pacific region and make sure China does not achieve its goals.
In conclusion, while China is pushing forward with its military modernization plans, corruption seems to be a big obstacle in the way. The removal of top officials may be just the start, and it’s unclear whether China will be able to overcome these challenges by the 2027 deadline.
