3 defense industry executives removed from Chinese political advisory body
Last Updated on December 29, 2023 12:26 pm
China’s state-run TV station says a top political consultative body has revoked the seats of three senior executives of military-related companies. Some foreign media are linking the move to a corruption investigation reportedly under way.
China Central Television said the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference dismissed the three at a meeting on Wednesday. The broadcaster said they include the chairman of the board of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The three companies are engaged in the development of missiles, rockets or other military equipment.
Some foreign media say the dismissals are related to a large-scale crackdown over procurements by the Chinese military’s rocket force, which operates nuclear and missile arsenals.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian did not give reasons for the dismissals when questioned during a news conference on Thursday. But he stressed that the Chinese military has always maintained strict, legal governance and has zero tolerance for corruption.
In October, China’s Defense Minister Li Shangfu was dismissed with no word from the government on the reason for his dismissal. But some media in the West and in Hong Kong reported the possibility that Li and several senior military officials were being investigated for corruption.
The post of defense minister is still vacant.