Chinese President Xi Jinping has dismissed Lieutenant General He Weidong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission and one of the most powerful figures in the military, from his post. According to the Financial Times, which cited sources familiar with the developments, he left after a corruption investigation.
He, who was considered one of President Xi Jinping's closest loyalists, has not been seen in public since March 11, sparking speculation that he has been arrested. Some sources said he is being held by authorities for questioning.
Appointed in October 2022, He held one of the highest positions in the Chinese military structure, with direct influence over the command of the People's Liberation Army, which consists of over 2 million troops.
This is the first time in more than 30 years that a senior military official has been removed for corruption, bringing attention back to Xi Jinping's aggressive anti-corruption campaign, which has also included key segments of the military.
Experts believe that the crackdown on such a high-ranking figure shows Xi's determination to further consolidate the party's control over the military, especially in a period of heightened tensions in the region and fragile relations with the US.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Defense has not yet given an official comment on the incident. (A2 Televizion)
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