Exclusive | Former top officer in China’s air force ‘under investigation by anti-corruption officials’: sources
Tian Xiusi was a former political commissar and official in the Communist Party’s Central Committee
A former senior People’s Liberation Army official and an ally of disgraced former Central Military Commission vice-chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou has been placed under investigation by China’s anti-corruption body, military sources familiar with the matter said.
General Tian Xiusi, 66, former political commissar in the PLA Air Force and a member of the Communist Party’s 18th Central Committee, was facing an internal graft probe, two sources told the South China Morning Post.
If the case is confirmed, any investigation in the PLA would be carried out by a branch within the Central Military Commission.
“With both his wife and personal secretary taken away [for investigation], Tian has been the subject [of an internal graft probe],” one of the sources said.
As political commissar, Tian was in effect a top decision-maker in charge of the world’s fastest-growing air force during his term in office, analysts said.
The reason why he has been placed under investigation is unclear.
But a book published this year alleged that Tian paid
50 million yuan (HK$58 million) to the disgraced former military chief Guo to secure the position of political commissar in 2012.
The book was written by Chen Xi, a former official in a department affiliated with the former Lanzhou Military Command.
The authorities said in April that Guo was to face charges for allegedly taking large bribes.
Former military chief Xu was also accused of taking kickbacks in exchange for handing out promotions, but he died last year of cancer and never stood trial.
One source said Tian may also have paid bribes to Xu.
“Starting as a political commissar with the Xinjiang Military Region before landing the top jobs of political commissar of the Chengdu Military Region and the Air Force, Tian’s downfall is closely related to Xu Caihou,” the source said.
Yang Chunchang, a former researcher at the PLA’s Academy of Military Science, said in March the corruption cases centred on Xu and Guo showed excessive power was placed in their hands.
“Their power was too great,” Yang said in a Phoenix TV discussion.
“Say a military region commander offers 10 million yuan [for a promotion], he will reject the commander in case another commander offers 20 million yuan.”
Tian, who made his last public appearance on July 1, is deputy head of the foreign affairs committee of the National People’s Congress.
He left the air force early last July, but was promoted to his current post with the legislature.
“Substandard products have poisoned many ordinary people ... but punishments are still too lenient,” Tian was quoted as saying by The Beijing News .
“Corrupt officials should be reduced to poverty and ruin if they have done something to sabotage the safety and assets of the people.”
