PLA supports graft probe into Xu Caihou

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) supported the Communist Party of China Central Committee's decision to expel Xu Caihou from the Party for suspected bribery, the PLA Daily said on Tuesday.

Xu, former vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, may face prosecution as his case has been forwarded by the discipline agency to prosecutors.

The decision displayed the party's firm resolve to fight corruption and punish those corrupt elements with an attitude of zero tolerance, according to the paper's editorial.

"All PLA officers should firmly support the correct decision of the CPC Central Committee ... and ensure all their actions follow the instruction of the CPC Central Committee, the CMC and its Chairman Xi Jinping," the editorial said.

An investigation has found that Xu took advantage of his post to assist the promotion of other people and accepted bribes personally and through his family members.

He is also accused of seeking profits for others in exchange for money and properties, through his family members.

By investigating Xu, the CPC Central Committee has firmly safeguarded Party disciplines and laws and shown responsibility to the causes of the Party and the people as well as the armed forces, according to the editorial.

"Anyone, no matter what authority and office he holds, will receive serious punishment if found violating Party disciplines and laws," it said.

The investigation showed the Party has the ability to clean, improve, reform and enhance itself, the editorial said.

As the armed forces to fulfill the Party's political mission, the PLA must not harbor any corrupt members. The PLA must be absolutely loyal, clean and reliable, it said.

The editorial urged education, management and supervision over Party members in the armed forces, especially middle-level and senior officers.

The PLA would continue its fight against corruption amid efforts to build a strong military, the editorial said.