PLA to set up local 'watchdog' offices to monitor graft and protect troops' rights

The Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army are setting up offices at the local government level to better monitor soldiers for illegal activities and to address any grievances.

The move comes amid a drive by the leadership to clean up the military, improve morale and root out graft without shaking public confidence in soldiers.

"All departments should attach importance to the work of protecting military rights, especially those that have a major influence on state security and social stability," read a document issued jointly by the Communist Party's Central Political and Law Commission and the PLA's General Political Department.

Government authorities should also crack down on military-related crimes, such as stealing and selling PLA secrets, and theft or destruction of equipment or facilities, it read.

The PLA has come under closer scrutiny by the administration of President Xi Jinping , who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission.

At the end of last month, former deputy logistics chief Gu Junshan was charged with embezzlement, bribery, misuse of state funds and abuse of power. His former boss and ally Xu Caihou , who previously served as CMC vice-chairman, has also been detained.