China to investigate military construction projects

BEIJING - China will launch a sweeping investigation into construction and real estate projects owned by the military.

Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), told a national teleconference held Thursday that the investigation should be "thorough, accurate and reliable."

Fan ordered military leaders to properly manage military real estate assets, strictly control the number of new construction projects and practice frugality in construction projects.

Military leaders were also ordered to "address prominent problems and regulate construction management," and work to ensure that both officers and soldiers can see a "new look."

No timetable was given for the investigation, which has been seen as part of the military's efforts to curb corruption.

Since Xi Jinping became general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CMC in November 2012, both the CPC and the military have launched high-profile campaigns to stem corruption.

In May, the military moved to curb irregularities by ordering old military vehicle plates to be replaced with new ones.