In the clear? Retired general’s return to the public eye quells rumours of graft investigation
Fan Changlong’s rise up the top ranks was aided by disgraced former general Xu Caihou
A retired Chinese military heavyweight rumoured to be under investigation for corruption has appeared in public, suggesting he could be in the clear.
Fan Changlong, 70, a former vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, was seen with Chinese President Xi Jinping in footage aired on state broadcaster China Central Television’s main evening news bulletin on Friday.
Xi, who chairs the CMC, was attending a Lunar New Year event in Beijing for military veterans, including Fan.
Rumours that Fan was under investigation for corruption had circulated since 2014 when former CMC vice-chairman Xu Caihou was brought down for graft. Fan was widely known as Xu’s top protégé, miliary sources said.
The speculation gained further currency last month after the authorities announced that Fang Fenghui, once the youngest commander of a People’s Liberation Army military region and another Xu protégé, would be prosecuted for allegedly taking and giving bribes.