The following day, however, China’s Defence Ministry announced at its monthly press conference that Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) who outranks the defence minister, was under investigation. According to reports, the spokesperson confirmed that Dong remains in his position and dismissed rumours of an investigation as “sheer fabrication”. The Foreign Ministry also denied the rumours, describing them as “shadow chasing”.
In neither case, however, were these denials included in the official transcript of the press conference. Although noteworthy, this should not be seen as an indication that Dong is in trouble, as it is not unusual for such transcripts to omit certain comments or answers, especially when they address sensitive or controversial topics. Given what we know about politics in Xi Jinping’s China, and the limited information available about these cases, what conclusions can realistically be drawn about what is happening and why, and the implications for China’s future? The military purge continues and could be expanded.
In neither case, however, were these denials included in the official transcript of the press conference. Although noteworthy, this should not be seen as an indication that Dong is in trouble, as it is not unusual for such transcripts to omit certain comments or answers, especially when they address sensitive or controversial topics. Given what we know about politics in Xi Jinping’s China, and the limited information available about these cases, what conclusions can realistically be drawn about what is happening and why, and the implications for China’s future? The military purge continues and could be expanded.
