Dong Jun Implicated Miao Hua During Investigation but Remains at Navy Residence | China Truths

Welcome to China Truths. In this episode, we will bring you the following stories. Xi Jinping ally Miaohua falls from power. Dong Jun implicated Miaohua during investigation but remains at Navy residence. Now, let's dive into the details. China Truths Xi Jinping ally Miaohua falls from power. The fall of Admiral Miaohua, a member of the Central Military Commission and a close confidant of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has been confirmed. China experts hold differing views on how this incident impacts Xi's control over the military. Some analysts have highlighted several peculiarities in how Miaohua's case is being handled. At a regular press briefing on November 28, China's Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian announced that Miaohua, a member of the Central Military Commission and head of the CMC political work department, is suspected of serious violations of discipline. After study by the Party Central Committee, it has been decided to suspend Miaohua for investigation. Wu Qian provided no details on Miaohua's alleged violations or the duration of the suspension. The announcement was initially reported by foreign media, and only later in the day did Chinese authorities officially declare Miaohua's serious violations of discipline and the decision to suspend him for investigation. Miaohua, now 69 years old, hails from Jiangsu and was born in Fuzhou, Fujian. He served for a long time in the former Nanjing military region. In 2010, he transitioned to the former Lanzhou military region, holding positions as political department director, deputy political commissar and secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, and political commissar. After Xi Jinping came to power at the 18th National Party Congress, Miaohua's career accelerated, transitioning from the army to the navy and being appointed as navy political commissar. In 2017, he became the head of the CMC political work department and a member of the CMC. Miaohua's long service with the 31st Group Army, stationed in Fujian, is said to have forged close ties with Xi Jinping, who worked in Fujian early in his career. According to Xinming Xi, director of the National Defense and Security Research Institute in Taiwan, Miaohua played a critical role in Xi Jinping's purge of Guo Buxiang and Xu Kaihou. Whether in personnel appointments, organizational work, party building, anti-corruption efforts, or political work, Miaohua was a key figure, Xin said. Now, even a general promoted by Xi and seasoned in the CMC has been taken down. Xin suggests two possible reasons for Miaohua's fall. Either he was involved in severe corruption, forcing Xi to act, or the investigation was driven by Zhang Xingmin, a factional rival aligned with CMC vice chairman Zhang Youxia. Either scenario, Xin argues, reflects challenges in Xi's control over the military. Be it domestic governance, economic issues, or corruption within the military, Xi's power is being challenged. This forces him to cede some authority, making those he once relied upon targets for attacks. Bo Sifu, director of the China Political Military and Operational Concepts Research Office at Taiwan's National Defense and Security Research Institute, believes that while Miaohua's fall indicates problems within the military's political commissar system, it does not signify Xi losing control. Instead, it shows Xi tightening his grip by purging top military leaders one by one. However, Hong Zijie, a researcher at the same institute, views Miaohua's fall as part of a broader purge. The notion of Xi's army is used to differentiate allies from non-allies, aiming to eliminate rivals and consolidate support. Miaohua's downfall suggests that Xi's army advantage is disappearing, and even Xi's allies are becoming targets. Gong Xiangqing, another researcher, notes that Miaohua was widely regarded as a member of Xi's Fujian faction. If Miaohua was taken down by Zhang Youxia's faction, it could signify retaliation against Xi. Chinese political expert Wang Yi identifies at least three unusual elements in Miaohua's case. The sequence of events. As with other fallen officials, news of Miaohua's investigation first emerged abroad before being confirmed by Chinese authorities. This suggests intense internal power struggles within the CCP, with leaks likely deliberate. The use of suspension for investigation, typically reserved for less severe violations, this approach may signal that Xi is attempting to mitigate the fallout from Miaohua's case. The unusual phrasing in the Ministry of National Defense's announcement, referencing study by the Party Central Committee. Wang interprets this as a sign of open infighting between the CMC and the CCP Central Committee. Following the removal of Defense Minister Li Shangfu, concerns have arisen about the military's command structure. Recent reports suggest investigations targeting Liu Xunli, Joint Staff Department chief, and Lin Xiangyang, commander of the Eastern Theater Command, representing different factions within the military. Xin Mingzhi questions whether the CMC can fulfill its operational command role, given these internal issues. He also notes that the military's ability to modernize and develop new capabilities remains uncertain amidst such turmoil. Dong Jun implicated Miaohua during investigation but remains at Navy residence. Chinese media confirmed that Central Military Commission, CMC, member Miaohua has been dismissed, while denying rumors of an investigation into Defense Minister Dong Jun. Miaohua, also a Navy admiral, was long considered Dong Jun's key supporter for career advancement. Sources indicate that Dong Jun remains at his Navy compound residence and has not been detained but reportedly provided unfavorable testimony against Miaohua during a routine inquiry. Former Chinese naval officer Yao Cheng revealed on November 28 via a social media channel that a joint investigative team from CCP Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, CCDI, and its military counterpart is probing allegations against Miaohua. The investigation reportedly focuses on individuals linked to Miaohua within the Navy and Eastern Theater Command, including former political commissars Qin Xingxiang, Yuan Huaxi, and Defense Minister Dong Jun, who all reportedly provided damaging statements against Miaohua. According to Yao Cheng, these individuals are currently under investigation but remain housed at their Navy compound residences. Observers within the compound have reportedly confirmed their presence, indicating no detentions have occurred so far. Yao also suggested that the timing of Dong Jun's inquiry on November 21 and the official announcement of Miaohua's investigation on November 28 implies connections between the two cases. The testimony from Miaohua's close associates likely contributed to his dismissal. While the CCP officially denies any ongoing investigation into Dong Jun, his future prospects remain uncertain. U.S. Naval War College professor Andrew Erickson quipped on social media that when such investigations become public, convictions are typically a foregone conclusion. Independent commentator Kai Shinkuen noted that Dong Jun may be a casualty of Miaohua's downfall. He highlighted Dong's conspicuous absence during the visit of Singapore Armed Forces Chief Melvin Ong, which would typically warrant attention from a Navy admiral like Dong Jun. Instead, General Lu Xunli, another CMC member rumored to be under scrutiny, hosted the delegation. At a press conference yesterday, China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian announced the suspension of Miaohua, pending investigation. Later that evening, state media reported that Miao was accused of serious disciplinary violations, with his dismissal formalized by CCP leadership. On November 11, exiled commentators Kai Shinkuen and Yao Qing previously reported Miaohua's detention by the CMC's military discipline arm. The claims, corroborated by former journalist Zhao Longjian, noted that Miaohua was reportedly escorted away with a hood over his head. These revelations have sparked speculation about deeper instability within the CCP military hierarchy and whether Miaohua's case reflects broader power struggles within the Central Military Commission.