China has expelled nine senior military officials from the Communist Party as part of a long-running crackdown on corruption. They include the country's highest-ranked uniformed officer.
The defense ministry made the announcement on Friday, saying the officials are suspected of "serious duty-related crimes involving an extremely large amount of money."
He Weidong becomes the most senior military official to be purged since President Xi Jinping took office in 2012.
He has served as one of two vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission, and sat on the 24-member Politburo under the Xi administration.
He has also served as a commander of the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command, covering the East China Sea including Taiwan. He was promoted to vice-chair of the Central Military Commission during Xi's third term that began in 2022.
The other eight officials have also filled key military posts.
Beijing expelled two former defense ministers last year for accepting huge sums of money.

Quiz 1:
Who has been purged as the most senior military official since President Xi Jinping took office in 2012?
A. Li Weidong
B. He Weidong
C. Zhang Weidong
D. Wang Weidong

Quiz 2:
What position did He Weidong hold at the Central Military Commission?
A. Chairman
B. Vice-Chairman
C. Commander of the Eastern Theater Command
D. Politburo member

Quiz 3:
Which two former defense ministers were expelled by Beijing last year?
A. Li Weidong and Zhang Weidong
B. He Weidong and Xi Jinping
C. Wang Weidong and Li Na
D. Li Na and a corrupt official