Defense Ministry confirms general under investigation

The deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission Wang Jianping is pictured in Beijing, Oct 20, 2010. [Photo/IC]

Defense Ministry spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that the deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, Wang Jianping, was currently investigated by the military prosecutors for taking bribes.

Wang, 62, is the first serving general to fall from grace since president Xi Jinping began the anti-graft campaign in the military, according to public record.

"The military prosecutors has already been looking into his case," said ministry spokesperson Yang Yujun. "The People's Liberation Army has always upheld governing the army strictly and according to law. It would continue to carry forward the anti-graft effort, and in recent years, the military has caught many major cases."

The last three generals arrested for corruption were former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong and former political commissar of PLA Air Force Tian Xiusi. They were all retired at the time of arrest.

Wang joined service in 1969 and spent close to 20 years in the army, according to his resume. He later transferred to the Chinese Armed Police Force in 1996 and was finally promoted to the general rank in 2014.