The unusually strong state media blitz targeting disgraced former Chongqing party secretary Bo Xilai is a bid to warn his army supporters to adhere to the party line and to limit the scandal's repercussions on public opinion, analysts say.
Since Bo was suspended from the Communist Party's Central Committee and the Politburo last Tuesday, state media have stepped up commentaries to a level that analysts say far exceeds that of the downfall of former Shanghai party chief Chen Liangyu.
The downfalls of Bo and Chen both came about ahead of the five-yearly party congress. Chen was sacked in September 2006 for graft.
Analysts say Bejing has been more cautious in handling Bo's scandal than Chen's because military media and personnel have been deployed to show their loyalty to the party in Bo's case.
A commentary in the People's Liberation Army Daily yesterday said cadres should bear in mind the 'overall situation' of the nation, and that embracing the upcoming party congress should be their priority.
'The army should ensure that the party has absolute leadership, and the high-level stability and unity of the forces for smooth execution of military orders,' it said.