Xi Jinping sending strong message about graft in PLA with probe of Xu Caihou

The announcement of several high-profile corruption cases this week ahead of the 93rd anniversary of the Communist Party, including the investigation into retired top general Xu Caihou, is a strong message from President Xi Jinping that fighting graft is crucial to the survival of the organisation, military analysts said.

Despite the fact that many top generals were promoted by Xu, observers said the president was unlikely to launch a major reshuffle in the PLA, at least for now.

The government announced details of the graft investigations on Monday, the day before the party's anniversary.

Xu Guangyu, a Beijing-based retired major general, said the expulsion of Xu Caihou from the party, a former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, showed Xi had mustered strong backing and personal prestige in the military.

The announcement indicated the party would "take practical action to fight corruption", he said.

Xu Caihou is the most senior military official to be brought down in Xi's anti-corruption drive.