China’s state-run news agency, Xinhua, reported that a top Chinese general commited suicide after coming under investigation for corruption related charges
Zhang Yang, former head of the Chinese military’s political work department was found dead in his home on November 23.
An investigation into Zhang’s ties to Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou (two former vice chairmen) had been launched as it was believed that they were all connected in some way due to the fact that the two chairmen fell prey to President Xi Jinping’s massive anti-corruption campaign.
Xinhua reported that the investigators found that Zhang had seriously violated party discipline and broke the law by giving and accepting bribes, as well as possessing a big amount of money that he could not account for.
During the early stages of the investigation, he was allowed to stay home. He was a member of the Central Military Commission that runs the 2-million strong People’s Liberation Army.
Since 2012, more than 1.4 million people have been punished under Xi’s campaign. Even more, among those punished were around 300 senior officials.
The People’s Liberation Army Daily Tuesday, the paper published a commentary in which it said that:
“He wanted to evade punishment by party discipline and state law by committing suicide — such behavior was extremely despicable.”
“By escaping from judicial and possibly disciplinary penalties once and for all, the officials suspected of corruption can not only preserve their titles and honor, but also preserve the material gains they have made for their families, since their illegal income will no longer be confiscated.
Considering the astonishing sums of money an official can obtain through corruption, that’s a good deal for them and their families.”
