China, Jult 01 (V7N, CNN)- After months of speculation and official silence, China has confirmed that two former defense ministers, who disappeared from public view last year, were under investigation for corruption.

The downfall of Li Shangfu, ousted abruptly as defense minister after just seven months in October, and Wei Fenghe, who served from 2018 to 2023, has revealed alleged corruption within key sectors of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s military modernization efforts. This has raised concerns about China’s military preparedness amid heightened global tensions.

Both Li and Wei were expelled from the Communist Party and their cases handed over to military prosecutors following investigations, state media reported on Thursday. Their removal marks the most significant purge within China’s defense establishment since last summer, which has seen over a dozen senior generals and military-industrial executives fall from grace.

The turmoil within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) comes as Xi Jinping aims to strengthen and modernize China’s armed forces, while asserting territorial claims in disputed regions. Despite their previous tough stance on international forums, pledging to defend Taiwan and challenging U.S. influence in the South China Sea, both ministers were implicated in corruption despite Xi’s ongoing anti-graft campaign.

Xi’s efforts to transform the PLA into a top-tier military force have involved substantial investments in technology and weaponry, including the expansion of the Rocket Force responsible for China’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. However, the dismissals of Li and Wei, both previously promoted under Xi’s leadership, underscore challenges in curbing corruption within China’s military hierarchy.

Before his tenure as Defense Minister, Li headed the PLA’s Equipment Development Department, focusing on military procurement after a career in rocketry and satellite launches. Wei, an integral figure in China’s Rocket Force, saw his successors also removed in the recent purge.

Analysts point to systemic challenges in ensuring accountability and transparency within the PLA, highlighting ongoing difficulties despite Xi’s anti-corruption campaign. The lack of civilian oversight and an independent legal framework within China’s military compounds these challenges, suggesting that corruption may persist despite Xi’s efforts.

END/CNN/DK/