Chinese naval software expert removed from academy roster
Zhao Xiaozhe, a vice-admiral and former head of the Central Military Commission's science and technology body, has been removed from the Chinese Academy of Engineering's online membership list. He is the latest defence expert to disappear from the academy's website, following earlier removals of nuclear weapons and missile specialists. Zhao was also absent from a high-level AI study session chaired by President Xi Jinping last year.
Zhao Xiaozhe, a 63-year-old vice-admiral, was elected to the academy in 2011 while serving at the Dalian Naval Academy. There, he directed the Combat Software and Simulation Research Institute and supervised doctoral students, focusing on systems that aid warships in processing battlefield data.
His removal follows the March disappearance of profiles for nuclear weapons, radar, and missile specialists. Notably, Zhao was absent from a 2024 AI study session led by President Xi, with his deputy representing the body instead.
The removal of prominent defense scientists from the academy's roster could signal heightened scrutiny or internal realignment within China's military research establishment. For defense professionals and observers, this may indicate shifting priorities or disciplinary actions. It could also affect public perception of the academy's independence, potentially influencing how future scientific achievements are communicated and evaluated.