The Communist Party of China on Thursday dismissed a former commander of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Gen. Guo Boxiong has also been arrested and placed under investigation for corruption.

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The arrest of Guo - the latest in President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign - reinforces the government's commitment to hunt both high and low-ranking officials.

In a show of a 'zero tolerance' toward corruption, the Communist Party has expelled Guo for taking bribes and abusing his position.

"There will be absolutely no appeasement, absolutely no soft- handedness," a Party document said.

The case against Guo, who served as the former vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), has been transferred to military prosecutors.

73-year-old Guo, who retired last year, was placed under graft investigations in April. A 25-member council of the party's Politburo revealed that Guo took advantage of his post to "seek promotion and benefits for others". He is also accused of collecting bribes.

"His acts seriously violated Party discipline and left a vile impact," the Politburo statement added.

The Council's decision to place Guo under criminal inquiry comes just before the 88th anniversary of the PLA. The ceremony would be held on Saturday.

The PLA has described Guo as a "bad example" in an editorial published on Friday.

Guo is reported to have used his position to enrich himself and his family members. There were signs of Guo's fall from power when his son, Guo Zhenggang, one of China's youngest generals, was placed under investigation for corruption in March.

Guo's wife and his son's wife are reported to have also illegally used their positions to amass wealth for themselves.

Guo would be sentenced if he is found guilty of the charges brought against him in court. According to Reuters, the retired general has cancer. His condition has reportedly left the party in a dilemma as he may die before his case gets to trial.

Many feared that the Party may act slowly in Guo's investigation since he is the second military leader to be arrested on corruption charges. More than 50 high-ranking military officials have been arrested under the anti-graft campaign since 2012.

According to Xinhua, officials are confident that the anti-corruption campaign would help make the Chinese military better.

General Xu Caihou, the former vice chairman of the CMC, was discharged from the party in 2014 for bribery and abusing his position. The 71-year-old died in March of bladder cancer before he could stand trial.

TagsGeneral Guo Boxiong, People's Liberation Army (PLA), Central Military Commission (CMC), Guo Zhenggang, Xu Caihou