China’s military calls for tip-offs as it targets corruption in air force procurement
Notice urges public to come forward with information about ‘irregular’ activities, the first such request for a specific military branch
The People’s Liberation Army has made a rare public appeal for tip-offs about procurement problems in its air force, as Beijing presses ahead with its anti-corruption campaign in the military.
The announcement was posted on Monday on the PLA’s official procurement website – the main bid information platform for suppliers – seeking information about “irregular” procurement activities organised by air force units.
It is the first time such a request has been made about a specific branch of the military, which comprises the ground force, navy, air force and rocket force, alongside specialised information, space, cyber and joint logistics forces.
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The notice said it would mainly accept information on the PLA Air Force’s procurement of materials and services, including activities such as procurement evaluation, contract performance and selection of bidding agents.
It said suppliers, evaluation experts, bid agents and internal personnel involved in air force procurement projects could submit feedback using their real name by June 30 next year.
The announcement comes as the PLA continues its anti-corruption efforts and intensifies the military equipment procurement sector review it has been carrying out since 2023.
From around last year, the PLA procurement website started regularly posting warnings and listing penalties for parties and individuals found to have violated procurement-related rules.
In September, the rocket force announced the disqualification of 74 bid evaluation experts and 116 suppliers for violations, including collusion on bids.