China’s ambitious goal to modernize its military by 2027, as directed by President Xi Jinping, is encountering significant challenges, including widespread corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to a new Pentagon report. Between July and December 2023, at least 15 senior Chinese military officials and defense industry executives were removed from their positions.
Many of these officials oversaw critical projects, such as the Rocket Force, which manages China’s nuclear and missile programs.
Reports indicate the Rocket Force faced severe issues, including shortages of basic supplies like cooking fuel, prompting some personnel to steal rocket fuel for their meals.
Xi’s anti-corruption campaign
Xi launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the military. However, U.S. officials cautioned the investigations could further disrupt progress toward China’s 2027 modernization goals.
These goals include advancing weapons systems and preparing for potential military action against Taiwan.
CIA Director William J. Burns noted that while Xi has directed the PLA to be ready by 2027, there is no clear evidence of a specific timeline for an invasion.
China’s Defense Ministry denied certain media reports about its leadership reshuffle, labeling them baseless while acknowledging that high-ranking officials are under investigation for alleged disciplinary violations. The country’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the Pentagon report as biased, accusing the U.S. of using it to justify military expansion.
China’s steady military progress
Despite these setbacks, the Pentagon highlighted China’s steady progress in military modernization.
In 2024, Beijing’s defense budget estimated about $330 billion to $450 billion. Key priorities include hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence and an expanding navy, now the largest in the world by the number of ships.
However, slowing economic growth may force China to reassess its priorities and make difficult trade-offs. U.S. officials pointed to operational inefficiencies within the PLA, such as malfunctioning missile silo doors, submarines sinking while docked and delays in defense projects.
Meanwhile, Taiwan continues to bolster its defenses against escalating military activity from Beijing. Taiwanese officials described their strategy as one of deterrence, aimed at preventing potential aggression while strengthening their military capabilities to counter growing regional tensions.
