High-ranking military official in China suspended and placed under investigation

Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — China’s Defense Ministry says a a high-ranking military official has been suspended while he is under investigation. Miao Hua was director of the political work department on the Central Military Commission that oversees the People’s Liberation Army, the world’s largest standing military. The commission has five members in addition to its leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping. The ministry said Thursday that Miao is being investigated for serious violations of discipline, which usually alludes to corruption. It’s the third major investigation for China’s defense establishment this year. Former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe were expelled from the ruling Communist Party in June and accused of corruption.