As tensions spike between China and other countries in Asia's disputed waters, serving and retired Chinese military officers as well as state media are questioning whether China's armed forces are too corrupt to fight and win a war.
A slew of articles in official media in recent months have drawn parallels with the rampant graft in the People's Liberation Army and how a corrupt military contributed to China's defeat in the Sino-Japanese War 120 years ago.
The concerns are striking given the rapid modernization of the PLA, from the development of stealth fighter jets to the launch in 2012 of China's sole aircraft carrier.