China media: Xu Caihou

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Media praise the government's "efficiency" and "determination" in anti-graft efforts after the expulsion of a senior official from the Communist Party.

Gen Xu Caihou, one of China's most senior military officials, has been accused of accepting bribes.

He was once a member of China's elite decision-making body, the Politburo. He will now be handed over to prosecutors for a court martial.

The People's Daily commends the authorities for their determination to "root out corruption" and for "not being soft-hearted when dealing with corrupt officials".

"This is to show the whole party and society that being firm is not just an empty slogan… there is no hiding place for corrupt personnel in the party and less so in the military," it says.

Xin Xiangyang, a researcher with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, points out that the authorities have been "swift" in the investigation process.

"Mr Xu was probed on 15 March and he was sacked from the party on 30 June. The whole period took only three and a half months," he tells the Beijing News, adding that the new leadership has a zero-tolerance attitude towards corruption.

The China Daily notes that the the officer's expulsion was announced just a day before the Communist Party's anniversary and that shows "the new leadership's resolve to clear the ruling party of all corrupt elements".

"The investigation of a former state leader has further justified President Xi Jinping's statement that corruption poses the danger of the ruling party's collapse and the perishing of the state," it says.

'Birthday'

Meanwhile, media appear to be in a celebratory mood as the Communist Party of China (CPC) turned 93 on Monday.

Founded in 1921, the CPC defeated its opponent, the Kuomintang, in a civil war and established the People's Republic China in 1949.

During a meeting on the eve of the CPC's birthday, President Xi Jinping extended greetings to all members of the party and warned them against complacency, according to Xinhua news agency.

The Global Times' Chinese edition says that the CPC is "gradually entering in a blissful state".

The paper admits that while the party faces serious challenges, including fighting the most "prominent" problem of corruption, it is the CPC that has "helped the country to shake off poverty".

"China has become prosperous and has emerged as a new power under the party's leadership. It has slowly formed its own path of development that is different from the Western model," it says.

Elsewhere, media in China are largely silent on the pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

The rally marks the 17th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China from Britain, and this year's slogan is "Defending Hong Kong Authority: No fear of Beijing's threat of comprehensive control".

The march comes two days after protest group Occupy Central closed an unofficial pro-democracy referendum which drew nearly 800,000 votes.

In contrast to the prominent coverage of the pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong's media outlets, media in China are only reporting on commemorative events.

State-run China News Service reports that there are "waves upon waves of events" to commemorate the 17th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover.

"On 1 July, different organisations are holding over 150 events throughout Hong Kong. Whether it is the flag-raising ceremony or horse racing events," it says.

It points out that in the past 17 years, Beijing has kept its promise of maintaining the political system and way of life in the former British colony.

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