What's a 'normal' change of command look like around Peoples Liberation Army HQ? Why it looks like any other normal day excepting there are fewer soldiers with stars on their shoulders. Hmmm. Such conditions cause others to stare straight ahead as if nothing unusual has happened. Everything is fine. Continue on; do one's job. Be happy.
So, the top dog got caught with his hand in the till, so to speak. What else is new. Graftand corruption is embedded deep in the Asian DNA. They are always looking for an edge, however it can be achieved. In Communist China, the Party apparatus has all the levers and all the money. Results, those Party people can't resist temptation. Who will miss just this little bit of Yuan? Nobody. So, Xi has to act.
To the top general: You're out. Goodbye. Next. Who wants that job-nobody. In the PLA, the top slot is rarely held very long. Longevity is not part of the position. The top general was joined by at least 3 others who were expelled from leadership roles. Retired, no doubt in some form or another. Perhaps these leaders were slow in formulating invasion plans. Or, maybe they were known to have talked with American Embassy staffers-always dangerous. It was announced that the top general gave away nuclear program secrets to the US. That's a no-no. Also, he may have extracted a payment or two from subordinates who wanted promotions. Hmmm. That's a no no.
So Xi has to clean up his "strong" arm as he goes about the neighborhood making threats, butting heads, coercing cooperation, suggesting kowtowing. Look over at Japan-it's new prime minister has said certain things that Xi objects to so he chastises her publicly. Oh, and the Taiwanese: same-we will conduct drills all day long if and where we want to despite your protests.
Ah, China, so much, so little. And Trump-don't get me started says Xi.
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