Former senior military officials expelled from CPC, military

Two former senior military officials, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, have been expelled from the Communist Party of China and removed from the military for severe violations of discipline and law. The decisions were reviewed and approved at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on Monday, Xinhua reported.

Zhang served as a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, while Liu served as a CMC member and chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department.

With the approval of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, the CMC Discipline Inspection Commission launched investigations into Zhang and Liu. The investigations found that Zhang and Liu betrayed their original aspirations and mission, became alienated from the Party, abandoned Party principles, and crossed red lines and bottom lines. They formed cliques and were disloyal and dishonest to the Party.

They were discovered to have illegally accepted gifts and money, and to have taken advantage of their positions to help others with job promotions and other matters in exchange for huge sums of money. In addition, they failed to fulfill their responsibility for implementing full and rigorous Party self-governance, and neglected the education and management of their families and staff.

In accordance with relevant CPC regulations and laws, Zhang and Liu were expelled from the Party, and their suspected criminal issues were transferred to military procuratorial organs for examination and prosecution. The qualifications of the two as deputies to the 20th CPC National Congress were also terminated.

Actions to expel Zhang and Liu from the CPC will be confirmed by the CPC Central Committee when it convenes a plenary session.

The cases of the two fully demonstrate the clear stance of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC in carrying the fight against corruption through to the end, the report said. It also once again showed the firm position that there are no restricted zones in the fight against corruption, which will be with full coverage and zero tolerance. There is absolutely no place for corrupt individuals to hide in the military, the report said.

This is a major achievement in the Party's and the military's anti-corruption efforts and an important reflection of the Party's and the military's determination and strength, it said, adding that through the anti-graft struggle, the people's armed forces have undergone a revolutionary transformation, emerging purer and more consolidated, with stronger cohesion and combat effectiveness.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn