Be loyal to Communist Party, Xi tells military

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday asked the top brass of the military to carry out political rectification and remain loyal to the ruling Communist Party and Marxist ideology. Addressing a training session for high-ranking military officials at the National Defence University here, Xi said being part of the Party and the military means having firm faith in Marxism and being loyal to the Party.

Xi, who also heads the Party and military, called on high-ranking military officials to take the lead in carrying out intra-party political activities in earnest and in speaking the truth.

The Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the Chinese military, headed by Xi, has carried out major purges in recent months, which included the removal of the highest-ranking PLA official Gen Zhang Youxia.

Zhang was the Vice Chairman of the CMC. After his removal, the six-member CMC was reduced to two: Xi and Gen Zhang Shengmin, secretary of the discipline inspection body.

Besides corruption, which is the main allegation against the sacked military officials, indiscipline and disobedience of the CPC leadership were stated to be the reasons for the action against them.