China military morale weakens after sweeping corruption purge

April 19 (Asia Today) -- China's military morale has deteriorated significantly following years of sweeping anti-corruption investigations that removed top commanders and created a climate of fear within the ranks, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The People's Liberation Army, long considered a core pillar of China's ruling system, is now facing internal strain as repeated purges disrupt leadership stability and weaken cohesion.

Beijing-based sources with knowledge of military affairs said the People's Liberation Army once maintained strong morale, dating back to its origins as the Red Army in 1927 and its role in the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War.

However, that legacy now contrasts sharply with current conditions. Analysts say morale has declined as an unprecedented number of senior officers have been dismissed in recent years under anti-corruption campaigns.

Among those removed were two vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission and multiple commanders of the elite Rocket Force, a key strategic unit within China's military.

The shakeups have fostered a culture of caution and risk aversion, with officers increasingly reluctant to take initiative or pursue promotions, sources said.

A serving colonel, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said discontent has grown within the military despite the official justification that dismissed officers were involved in corruption.

"There is a sense that the crackdown has been excessive," the officer said. "Frustration is widespread, and morale has clearly declined among senior ranks."

China's leader Xi Jinping, who also chairs the Central Military Commission, has led the anti-corruption drive and is expected to continue tightening control over the military.

Recent actions, including the removal of senior officials linked to strategic sectors such as aerospace and missile forces, suggest the campaign is far from over.

Analysts say the continued pressure could further weaken morale in the near term, with little indication of a rapid recovery within China's armed forces.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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