A senior Chinese military officer has been removed from his post and is being investigated for alleged corruption in what insiders see as the fallout of a struggle in the military ahead of China’s leadership transition, writes Kathrin Hille in Beijing.

Two military sources confirmed online rumours that Lieutenant General Gu Junshan, deputy head of the General Logistics Department of the People’s Liberation Army, had been detained. “General Liu Yuan is showing he is serious,” said one source, referring to the department’s political chief, who last month spoke of a crackdown on corruption.
General Logistics, which oversees much of the military’s assets, is notorious for offering rich opportunities to “skim off”. This development has attracted particular attention because of Gen Liu’s ties with Bo Xilai, a top contender for a seat in the new leadership, and with Xi Jinping, the man expected to replace Hu Jintao as leader.