Army newspaper uses harsh words on expelled general

The People's Liberation Army, in a rare use of condemnatory words, accused an expelled top general of being a "double-dealer", and urged all servicemen to be honest and realize the harm caused by corruption.

The PLA Daily criticized Xu Caihou, former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, as a typical "double-dealer" in a commentary on Wednesday, saying he is good at disguising his dirty soul and ugly behavior.

Xu, 71, a native of Liaoning province, was investigated for violating discipline in March. Three months later he was expelled from the Party for suspected bribery and his case was sent to the military prosecuting authority.

On Oct 27, prosecutors finished their investigation of Xu and found he took advantage of his post to assist other people's promotions and accepted bribes personally and through family members. The amount of bribes was "extremely high".

Such double-dealers must be removed from China's army and the Party, the PLA Daily said. Being honest is necessary for each serviceman, but two-faced Party members and officials still exist, it said.

Some of them deceive their superiors and delude their subordinates, while some talk one way and behave in another, it said.

The commentary said double-dealers have brought huge damage to the country.

Also on Wednesday, People's Daily branded Zhou Yongkang, the former security czar of China who was expelled from the Party for serious violations and whose case has been sent to legal organs, as a "traitor".

Zhu Lijia, a professor who specializes in anti-corruption at the Chinese Academy of Governance, confirmed it is rare to use such harsh words to describe former officials.

"These words, such as 'double-dealer' and 'traitor', show the Party's indignation of these former officials and their behaviors," Zhu said. "So far, we haven't criticized a former official as a 'double-dealer' and the last time we used 'traitor' can date back three decades."

Under these circumstances, Zhou and Xu may face more serious charges and heavier punishments than Bo Xilai, former Party chief of Chongqing, who was sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes, embezzlement and abuse of power in 2013, he said.