Retired military officials ordered to return extra homes

China's military authorities have warned retired officials to return public housing if the number or size of the properties is deemed excessive.

According to a circular issued by the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) general departments of staff, politics, logistics and armament, and the discipline body of the Central Military Commission (CMC), military and armed police officials and their families may only occupy one public housing unit in a single city, and its size must be appropriate for the official's rank, the PLA Daily reported Friday.

Officials were ordered to give back extra properties if they have more than one military-owned apartment or their combined size exceeds the allowance for their ranks. They are also asked to give up public housing if they have purchased cheaper commercial housing with government or military subsidies, according to the circular, which was endorsed by CMC Chairman Xi Jinping.

In the meantime, the families of deceased officials are asked to vacate extra military housing if they already own real estate property.

The Chinese military detected irregularities in housing and infrastructure construction during an inspection that started in June 2013. The inspection is part of a broader anti-graft campaign launched by the military after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in November 2012.

According to the circular, "notable progress" has been made through the inspection. However, it admitted some retired officials have failed to hand over extra public housing and official cars, which has "hampered the overall progress of the work."

To enforce stronger discipline for those who fail to hand over extra public apartments, authorities ordered officials to pay rent equal to that of the most expensive commercial housing in the district where the public apartment is located. According to the circular, the rent will be deducted from such officials' paychecks.

All welfare and bonuses will also be suspended for officials in violation of the order. And authorities will resort to administrative or legal means for families of deceased officials who refuse to return extra homes, according to the circular.