China ramps up corruption probes into retired officials, military generals
• China set new records in 2023 for investigating senior officials for corruption, with 45 probes launched. This was a 40% jump over 2022.
• Most officials being investigated had already retired. This signals corruption issues from before Xi Jinping took power.
• In total, 294 senior officials have been targeted in the anti-corruption campaign since it began in 2013.
• Dismissals of top officials like the former foreign and defense ministers indicate probes are expanding into 2024.
• There are signs of sweeping investigations in the military as well, with 9 PLA generals recently dismissed by China's legislature.