China's army warns corrupt officials are 'keeping it in the family'

The Chinese military's newspaper has warned officials against enlisting family members in corrupt practices, amid heightening speculation a former top figure in the People's Liberation Army has been caught up in the anti-graft drive.

A commentary in the yesterday said officials should not abuse their power to fulfil their family's needs, and urged them to teach their children proper moral values.

"It is reasonable for cadres and leaders to take care of their families and help their families, but family needs should not override moral principles," the commentary said.

It warned that those who violated moral principles would "lose all their political standing and reputation, and their family fortune".

It said that many family members of those officials already caught up in the anti-corruption drive had also been implicated in corrupt practices.

It referred to the cases of Liu Tienan, the former head of the mainland energy regulator, and Su Rong, the former Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference vice-chairman. Their family members had received bribes in exchange for favours, said the article. Su's case had involved his whole family.