The chief designer on the J-20 stealth fighter jet has been removed from the website of China’s national research institute, amid a sweeping campaign to stamp out corruption in the defence sector.
Yang Wei, 62, had been listed as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the top academic body for science and technology.
But as of Monday, his name was no longer on the site, according to a snapshot from Internet Archive, which seeks to preserve online content.
Profiles of several top Chinese weapons scientists have disappeared from the Chinese Academy of Engineering’s website.
Those removed include nuclear weapons expert Zhao Xiangeng, radar specialist Wu Manqing, and missile designer Wei Yiyin. No explanation has been given for the removals.
Zhao Xiangeng (former CAE Vice-President) led nuclear weapons development, Wu Manqing headed China’s top electronics conglomerate (CETC), and Wei Yiyin was a chief designer for the nation’s most advanced surface-to-air missiles.
Removing the digital footprints of scientists involved in nuclear and missile guidance suggests the ongoing anti-corruption probe has shifted from “operational” military leadership to the defence-industrial complex and R&D sectors, potentially indicating either a massive security breach or a fundamental political purge amid Chinese missile and radar failure in Pakistan, Iran and Venezuela.
The People’s Liberation Army had planned to reunify Taiwan through military means and achieve China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) military goals, but received huge setbacks after Chinese-made radar, missile and drone failures in Pakistan, Iran and Venezuela.
Profiles of several leading figures in China’s defense research — including nuclear expert Zhao Xiangeng, radar specialist Wu Manqing, and missile designer Wei Yiyin — have disappeared from the Chinese Academy of Engineering website.
Why does China have quality issues?
Corruption in China’s defence industry is extensive, leading to a major purge of high-ranking military leaders and defence executives, particularly affecting the PLA and state-owned firms. Investigations, including those into former Defence Minister Li Shangfu, suggest systemic bribery, embezzlement, and weapon-quality issues that may cause short-term disruptions, though China continues to pursue rapid modernisation.
Corruption in the Chinese military-industrial system has likely led to substandard military equipment, hindering overall readiness.
As of late 2025/early 2026, numerous top military commanders, including leaders from the PLA and navy (such as Adm. Miao Hua), were removed or under investigation for serious, large-scale duty-related crimes.
Systemic misconduct and corruption have involved embezzlement, bribery, and the misappropriation of state assets by officials, including within the rocket force and major defence enterprises.
While some debate the extent of the damage, corruption is believed to have compromised the effectiveness and credibility of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Chinese-made system failed in Iran and Venezuela
Apart from the 50 CM-302 anti-ship missiles, the Islamic Republic received Chinese 6 HQ-16B surface-to-air missile systems, 1200 FN-6 MANPADS, 300 Sunflower-200 kamikaze drones, 3 HQ-9B anti-ballistic systems, 6 HQ-7AE, 4 YLC-9B radars, 3 Type 305A radars, 6 SLC-2 counter-battery radars, and 50 HQ-19 anti-satellite interceptor missiles, Reuters said.
At the first wave of U.S. attacks on Iran, the U.S. Air Force destroyed a stockpile of missiles in Tehran. CM-302 anti-ship missiles, HQ-16B anti-air missiles, HQ-7AE, HQ-9B anti-air missiles, SLC-2 and YLC-8B radars were completely destroyed on day one.
Some CM-302 anti-ship missiles failed to reach the target and malfunctioned mid-flight due to technical issues.
The so-called anti-stealth system that could quickly counter stealth fighters quickly became ineffective in Venezuela under the electromagnetic suppression of the US military; the FK-3 surface-to-air missile system, Su-30, and S-300VM completely lost their firepower advantages after coming under heavy electronic warfare and electromagnetic suppression by the F-35 and EA-18G Growler.
United States forces used Navy EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft during the January 3 strike on Venezuela, employing high-power jamming to disable multiple layers of the country’s air-defense network.
Why does it matter?
No official explanation has been given, fueling speculation about internal security, political purges, or changes in classified defense programs.
The removals may signal sensitivity around China’s strategic weapons development amid rising global tensions, amid America’s complete and overwhelming air superiority over Iran and Venezuela, despite China delivering the HQ-9B missile system and YLC-8B anti-stealth radar.
Chinese missile failure is a significant setback for the Chinese military industrial complex and a global embarrassment for its arms industry. Xi Jinping aims to reunify Taiwan by force, but has hit a significant roadblock.
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