U.S. intelligence believes that China's missiles are filled with water instead of fuel

 The widespread corruption in China has undermined Chinese President Xi Jinping's plans to modernize the armed forces and prepare for a possible war, Bloomberg writes. According to American intelligence, cited by the agency's sources, cases of corruption are especially common in the missile troops and defense industry of China.

Among the consequences of corruption and bribery, U.S. intelligence pointed to missiles filled with water instead of fuel. In addition, mine launchers in western China are not functioning properly. In this regard, according to sources, Xi is unlikely to consider the possibility of conducting military operations in the coming years.

In October 2022, Xi Jinping instructed to turn the Chinese People's Liberation Army into a "world-class" army by 2027, including through the introduction of new technologies and the modernization of the military training system. By the same time, the President of the People's Republic of China called for control over Taiwan.

Over the past six months, according to American intelligence estimates, more than ten high-ranking officials of the Chinese Ministry of Defense have been dismissed in the corruption case. Thus, in October, the resignation of Defense Minister Li Shangfu was announced. Before that, two senior generals of the PLA missile troops, who controlled the arsenal of long-range missiles and nuclear weapons, were removed.