Is Xi’s Chinese Military Crumbling? Signs Point to Yes…

Xi Jinping’s military appears to be corrupt and unruly, which is both 1) not a great thing when you use it as your main tool for subjugating those around you and 2) expected in Communist regimes.

As he focuses on the corruption that has plagued China over recent months, the Chinese President calls for “deep reflectiveness” within his military. The Wall Street Journal described a purge of more than 12 senior generals and executives in the defense industry as the reason for his call.

Xi recently found out that officials were pocketing money meant to propel the missiles, and instead filling them with water.

US intelligence suggests that President Xi Jinping’s sweeping purge of the military came after widespread corruption undermined the efforts to modernize his armed forces, and raised concerns about China’s capability to fight a battle.

According to people who declined to be identified when discussing intelligence, the corruption within China’s Rocket Force, and the defense industry base, is so widespread that US officials believe Xi will not consider major military action for the next few years.

It appears that the rapid expansion of China’s militaries has led to a number of bureaucrats who are self-serving and want to enrich themselves. There are reports that “vast fields” of missile silos with lids that do not function properly would also allow missiles to be launched effectively.

Xi’s request for more discipline and a reduction in corruption is not a great look for someone who should be able to control his country with the power he has seized. It is a sign of the weaknesses inherent in a dictatorship run by a bureaucracy with little or no checks and balances. It is true that corruption can exist in any form of government. (Hello Senator Bob Menendez) But it’s easier for us to find and replace corrupt officials here than it is to do the same thing for China.

Years ago, the U.S. Foreign Policy establishment was certain that China would be ascendant. Recent civil unrest, military corruption allegations, and China’s dependence on stolen technology for their own systems, weaponry, etc. can make one think.

When the news of the water-filled rockets broke, I said as much.

Is the U.S. underestimating China’s rapid growth?

It’s not a question of “if” but rather “when” we will go to war against China. The little information we do get from China suggests that China’s economic and military growth in the modern age may have peaked.

We can’t be sure because we lack intelligence. We do know that China has its own problems, which may be beneficial to the U.S.

I don’t have any idea if China has reached a plateau, is in decline, or if it is rising. What I do know, however, is that we, at our end, need to have better leadership in order to deal with it.