Beijing, April 8 Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on the top military brass to conduct political rectification and remain loyal to the ruling Communist Party and Marxist ideology.
Addressing a training session for high-ranking military officials at the National Defence University here, Xi said being part of the Party and the military means having firm faith in Marxism and being loyal to the Party.
Xi, who also heads the Party and military, urged high-ranking military officials to take the lead in carrying out intra-party political activities earnestly and in speaking the truth.
The Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the Chinese military, headed by Xi, has carried out major purges in recent months, which included the removal of the highest-ranking PLA official Gen Zhang Youxia.
Zhang was the Vice Chairman of the CMC. After his removal, the six-member CMC was reduced to two: Xi and Gen Zhang Shengmin, secretary of the discipline inspection body.
Besides corruption, which is the main allegation against the sacked military officials, indiscipline and disobedience of the CPC leadership were stated to be the reasons for the action against them.
Since he came to power in 2012, Xi has been insisting that the military should function under the leadership of the CPC.
Critics say that through the anti-corruption movement, Xi consolidated his power, emerging as the core leader of the party, next only to the founder leader Mao Zedong.
In his address, Xi also called for a fresh political outlook to greet the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, which will be marked in 2027.
All thoughts or actions driven by personal gains and corruption are completely incompatible with the party's nature and purpose, Xi said, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
He also urged high-ranking military officials to take the lead in putting down the official airs and remain true to the identity of revolutionary service personnel.
Xi said everyone should be equal before laws and regulations, and there are no special cases in the observance of laws and regulations and no exceptions in their enforcement.
