The current disappearance of Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has sparked suspicions that President Xi Jinping is conducting a cleansing operation in Beijing. Speculations arise that Xi feels threatened due to the underperforming economy. Regrettably, this crackdown may possibly consequently hinder efforts to revive development.

According to official reports, Xi appears to be conducting a 3-pronged campaign against corruption. The current purge involving Li and the Rocket Force generals seems to be targeted at eradicating corruption inside the senior ranks of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Offered the catastrophic overall performance of the corruption-ridden Russian military, Xi is understandably concerned about a equivalent occurrence if Chinese forces had been to be deployed in battle.