Chinese army asks soldiers to shun pol liberalism, back Xi

Chinese military has asked its officers and soldiers to shun political liberalism and support President Xi Jinping in his reform efforts and campaign against corruption in the 2.3 million-strong People's Liberation Army.
In a call that coincides with the annual summer meeting of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) at the seaside retreat in Beidaihe, the General Political Department of the PLA in a circular said that soldiers should resolutely prevent "liberalism in politics" and "oppose misconceptions" that might hinder reform efforts.
"The party's leadership over the army must be absolutely upheld," it said, PLA Daily, the official organ of the military, reported.

The PLA said that officers and soldiers should understand that reforms were needed to ensure the army was capable of fighting and winning modern battles.
It also warned that reforms might touch on some officers' or groups' personal interests.
"Individuals should be amenable to the comprehensive interests of the entire army and adapt to the changes," it said.

Officers and soldiers must "always be vigilant and steadfast on political issues and strictly abide by discipline regarding politics, organisation and secrecy," it said.
The officers and soldiers were also instructed not to comment on or spread political rumours.
The PLA circular was issued as the CPC meeting discussed the ruling party's overall policies, especially the crackdown on corruption in and out of the army initiated by Xi besides the reform programme.

In June, the government had expelled Xu Caihou, a retired general and former vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission.
Xu faces a court martial on charges of corruption, becoming the most senior PLA officer to fall in the anti-graft drive.
In his recent speeches, Xi has pledged to strike hard against corruption in the military and has urged officers to banish corrupt practices.
Analysts said the release of the circular indicated possible anxiety among some senior officers over the reform programme and anti-graft drive.
"There must be strong resistance among some top brass over both Xi's reform package and his extended anti-graft campaign into the army," Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted Zhang Lifan, a political affairs analyst.

The party leadership had earlier also launched a cracked down on corruption in the military in the late 1990s, ordering the army to stay out of business activities.
However, graft has become a problem in recent years as some army units extend into business dealings, the Post report said.
The PLA functions under the command and control of the CPC.