China's Military Calls Corruption Combat Power's 'Number One Killer

China's military has declared corruption the "number one killer" of combat effectiveness, pushing back against suggestions that its sweeping anti-graft campaign might be weakening the People's Liberation Army.

Two commentaries published in the PLA Daily over the weekend made an unusual public case for why the ongoing purges will ultimately strengthen rather than compromise military readiness. The articles warned against both "unrealistic optimism" and "harmful pessimism" about the anti-corruption drive—signaling that the crackdown is far from over.

The Corruption-Combat Power Nexus

The military's defense of its anti-corruption campaign comes amid growing speculation about organizational disruption within the PLA. Since 2023, a string of high-ranking officials—including defense ministers and Rocket Force commanders—have been removed from their posts, raising questions about institutional stability.

But the PLA Daily commentaries frame this differently. Rather than viewing purges and combat readiness as competing priorities, they argue corruption fundamentally undermines military effectiveness. When promotions depend on connections rather than competence, and when equipment procurement becomes a vehicle for personal enrichment, the military's core mission suffers.

This perspective reflects Xi Jinping's broader philosophy that the military must be "absolutely loyal" to the Communist Party. Anti-corruption efforts serve dual purposes: eliminating graft while ensuring political control.

Modern Warfare Demands Clean Command

The timing of these commentaries is significant. As tensions escalate in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, China's military faces the prospect of actual combat operations where corruption-induced failures could prove catastrophic.

Modern warfare's complexity amplifies corruption's dangers. Faulty equipment due to kickbacks, compromised intelligence from bought loyalties, or hesitant commanders worried about their legal exposure could all prove decisive in high-stakes confrontations.

The PLA's argument essentially boils down to this: short-term organizational disruption is preferable to long-term systemic rot. Better to endure temporary command instability than risk battlefield failures caused by corrupt practices.

International Implications

Foreign military analysts are watching China's anti-corruption drive closely, trying to gauge its impact on PLA capabilities. Some see the purges as evidence of deep-seated problems that could temporarily weaken Chinese military effectiveness. Others worry that a successfully reformed PLA could emerge significantly more capable.

For the United States and its allies, this creates a complex strategic calculus. A corruption-weakened Chinese military might seem advantageous, but it could also prove unpredictable or desperate. Conversely, a reformed and more professional PLA presents its own challenges to regional stability.

The campaign also sends signals to China's military partners and rivals alike. Countries considering defense cooperation with China must factor in ongoing institutional upheaval, while regional competitors might see either opportunity or increased threat depending on how reforms unfold.

The Authoritarian Efficiency Question

China's approach raises broader questions about military effectiveness under authoritarian systems. Can a military simultaneously serve as an instrument of political control and maintain professional combat readiness? The PLA's current experiment in combining ideological purity with operational capability will provide valuable data points.

Historically, militaries have struggled with this balance. Soviet forces during Stalin's purges, for instance, suffered devastating losses in early World War II battles partly due to the elimination of experienced commanders. China appears confident it can avoid similar pitfalls through careful management of its anti-corruption campaign.