16 PLA major generals, many of them newly promoted, under investigation for military corruption

At least 16 People's Liberation Army major generals have been taken away for investigation in relation to graft cases involving their former superiors, according to sources close to the military.

Two independent sources close to the PLA told the South China Morning Post that most of the officers were either secretaries or relatives of former military commanders or senior officers.

One of those taken away was Major General Guo Zhenggang, son of Guo Boxiong, a former vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, a Shanghai-based retired senior colonel said. Another was Zhu Heping, a former secretary to late general Zhang Wannian, another former CMC vice-chairman who died in Beijing on January 15, the source said.

Guo Zhenggang, 45, was promoted to deputy political commissar of the Zhejiang Military District with the rank of major general in January, Zhejiang Television reported at the time. Rumours that he was being investigated surfaced last month.

The investigation of Guo has raised questions about whether his father will also come under the spotlight in the investigation of another former CMC vice-chairman, Xu Caihou.

Xu, 71, has been investigated for bribery since last March and was expelled from the Communist Party in June. He is the most senior military figure to be implicated since President Xi Jinping launched his anti-graft drive after taking control of the Communist Party and the military in 2012.