BEIJING, Nov 28, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - China said Thursday that top military official Miao Hua had been removed from office and was suspected of "serious violations of discipline", the latest senior apparatchik to fall in a sweeping crackdown on graft in the country's armed forces.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party "has decided to suspend Miao Hua from duty pending investigation", Wu Qian, spokesman of China's Ministry of Defence, told a press briefing.

Wu did not provide further details about the charges against Admiral Miao, a member of Beijing's powerful Central Military Commission.

But "serious violations of discipline" are commonly used by officials in China as a euphemism for corruption.

The announcement follows reports, unconfirmed by Beijing, that Defence Minister Dong Jun has been placed under investigation for corruption.

If confirmed, Dong would be the third Chinese defence minister in a row to be probed for graft.