China replaces leadership of its Rocket Force, which overseas nukes, over 'corruption'
File photo.
The Chinese government on Monday (July 31) replaced the leadership of its Rocket Force, the army unit that oversees its nuclear arsenal, reportedly over corruption. According to a report by the Xinhua news agency, The navy's former deputy commander Wang Houbin was named as the new commander of the force. Xu Xisheng, an air force officer and party central committee member, was named the Rocket Force’s new political commissar.
The new appointments come as former commander of forcer General Li Yuchao and his deputy General Liu Guangbin disappeared from public view months back. Li, Liu and many other current and former deputies of the former commander were being investigated by the Central Military Commission’s anti-corruption unit.
The government has not made any announcements regarding the whereabouts of Li and Liu. However, foreign officials briefed on intelligence over the matter said that the two top generals were being probed for allegedly leaking military secrets, according to a report by the Financial Times.
Biggest change among military leaders in over a decade
Monday's appointment is the biggest irregular change among military leaders in China since Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, former deputy chairs of the Central Military Commission, were ousted more than a decade ago and prosecuted on corruption charges in 2014, the Financial Times report said.
Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for increasing oversight of the military and the construction of a "modern system for military governance" in remarks to top leaders.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
Following this, the military department responsible for buying weapons launched a crackdown on corrupt procurement practices dating back years.
What is the Rocket Force?
The Rocket Force is a relatively new unit of the People's Liberation Army. As per the government, the force oversees China's arsenal of strategic missiles, both conventional and nuclear, and can both deter and strike.
Its creation was announced in January 2016 after a major reshuffle of the country's military structure. In March, a US intelligence report said that the force's conventional missile capabilities "probably" pose a serious threat to US forces and bases in East Asia.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.