Retired General Xu Caihou, China's most senior military leader to fall under President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, has died Sunday due to cancer of the bladder. He was 71. 

State media reported Xu succumbed to multiple organ failure after the cancer had spread to other parts of his body. His death prompted China to drop charges filed against him, but authorities said the country would continue to recover the huge bribes allegedly paid to him in accordance with the law.

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At the time of his retirement in 2013, Xu was serving as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, the second top senior officer in the two-million strong People's Liberation Army. He was placed under investigation last year on bribery and corruption allegations.

Xu's full general military rank was revoked last October after he admitted he took "extremely huge" bribes in a money-for-rank scandal within the People's Liberation Army.  

Xu, who oversaw personnel deployment in the army and characterized as a big "military tiger", was charged for accepting huge amount of money to help others get promoted. He allegedly received kickbacks personally and through family members.

Allegations against Xu include a report last year that a mountain of cash, jewels, paintings and antiques were discovered when an anti-graft team inspected the basement of his 2,000-square mansion.

The retired general was expelled from the Communist Party in June three months after an investigation was launched against him and 16 other senior officers. His health was already deteriorating at that time. 

Gen. Xu was reportedly taken from the hospital bed by investigators for prosecution.

Just this month, the People's Liberation Army announced that 14 others, mostly major generals, are also under probe. This batch includes Guo Zhenggang Boxiong, son of retired general Guo Boxiong, who is also facing graft charges. 

Xi's wide-ranging anti-corruption drive has targeted China's military and government officials. The campaign has snared almost 100,000 officials of various levels.

The president has repeatedly warned that continued corruption in the armed forces would undermine its combat readiness.

TagsAnti-corruption, Anti-graft, Fox Hunt, Xu Caihou