Hong Kong, March 19 -- As well as splashing out ever-increasing amounts of cash on the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Chairman Xi Jinping is hauling on its reins to keep China's military -which has a history of doing things its own way - in check. However, even after more

than twelve years in control, his efforts are proving only partially successful.

On 5 March, China announced its defense budget for 2025. The sum of CNY1.784665 trillion - or USD249 billion - rose 7.2% compared to the year before. China's defense expenditure has been pegged to single-digit percentage increases for the past decade.

As much as rising funds are welcome to the PLA, Xi is more concerned about the rot of corruption and the PLA's political loyalty to the Ch...