Anti-Corruption

China delivers its harshest military corruption sentences in years

China’s crackdown on corruption among high-level officials has recently meted out one of its most severe punishments for two former military leaders. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong takes a look at the downfall of the top brass over the years.

Han Yong Hong

08 May 2026

China’s 21st Party Congress set for major leadership overhaul

Analysing with data the likely extent of leadership renewal at the 21st Party Congress in 2027, academic Li Cheng and research assistant Du Lang of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World in Hong Kong find that except for General Secretary Xi Jinping, a massive shakeup is expected, and the longstanding practice of age limits will still play a big factor.

Li Cheng, Du Lang

13 Mar 2026

[Video] George Yeo: America’s deep pain — and why China won’t colonise

George Yeo, in an interview with ThinkChina editor Chow Yian Ping, explores America’s deep social pain, China’s struggle with corruption rooted in Confucian ties, and why change is hard. He also weighs the risk of war in the Taiwan Strait and Singapore’s future in a fast-shifting world order. This is the first episode of ThinkChina Conversations, a series of in-depth interviews with experts on China.

Chow Yian Ping

27 Feb 2026

[Video] The real danger behind China’s military purge

China has purged nearly its entire top military leadership. While debate centres on whether this accelerates or delays a Taiwan conflict, the more consequential question may be how risk is structured, assessed and misread. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina finds out more.

Yi Jina

06 Feb 2026

Shadow banking under fire: AVIC Trust’s collapse

Trust companies in China have become a major source of financing outside the banking system. AVIC Trust’s failure shows how weak oversight, high-risk lending and a slumping property market can bring even state-owned institutions down. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang tells us more.

Li Kang

05 Feb 2026

How will China fill its military leadership vacuum?

With the recent personnel upheaval in China’s military, the army’s professional competence and judgment will be affected in the short term. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei takes a look at the options ahead to fill the leadership vacuum.

Sim Tze Wei

29 Jan 2026

China’s military leadership vacuum: A boon or bane for Taiwan?

The recent shake-up of China’s Central Military Commission means that the top leadership now lacks real combat experience. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han observes that this could mean a delay in combat readiness of the People’s Liberation Army, or a more aggressive stance from younger generals looking for professional advancement.

Miao Zong-Han

28 Jan 2026

Last man standing: Xi’s purge of the Central Military Commission

Only Chairman Xi Jinping and the lowest-ranking member, Zhang Shengmin, remain on the Central Military Commission. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan analyses the purge of Zhang Youxia and other top PLA leaders, underscoring the CCP’s uncompromising stance on corruption and disloyalty.

Yu Zeyuan

26 Jan 2026

Loyalty or defeat: How Xi shapes China’s military

Chinese President Xi Jinping sees factionalism and corruption as existential threats to China’s armed forces. The purges of generals He Weidong and Miao Hua underscore his belief that combat readiness — and loyalty to him — trump personal ties, even with his own allies, according to Japanese academic Takashi Suzuki.

Takashi Suzuki

12 Nov 2025

He Weidong: The general who tested Xi Jinping’s ultimate taboo

The abrupt removal of several top generals in China’s People’s Liberation Army — among them, Central Military Commission Vice Chairman He Weidong — points to deep unease within the ranks. Yet the cryptic language of official announcements offers few clues about what triggered the purge. Commentator Deng Yuwen unpacks the hidden logic behind He’s fall from power.

Deng Yuwen

21 Oct 2025

Policy, not palace intrigue: The real focus of China’s fourth plenum

Despite the crackdown on corruption over the past year, the fourth plenum will not be a personnel session but a policy session centred on the 15th Five-Year Plan. Commentator Deng Yuwen notes that unless there is a sudden political upheaval in the coming days, economic and social strategy will take centre stage, while personnel issues remain secondary.

Deng Yuwen

14 Oct 2025

The securities chief’s curse: Family, alumni and associates that toppled Yi Huiman

China’s capital market has been in the slumps the past year, not helped by the controversy surrounding the China Securities Regulatory Commission. Lianhe Zaobao China news editor Yang Danxu takes a look at the latest downfall of its chair, Yi Huiman.

Yang Danxu

10 Sep 2025