Xu Caihou: Chinese general, Politburo member and former Vice Chairman of the CMC

Xu Caihou (徐才厚; pinyin: Xú Cáihòu; June 1943 – 15 March 2015) was a senior Chinese military officer and political leader who rose to the top ranks of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He combined military rank and party office, holding seats on central decision-making bodies at a time of significant institutional change in China.

Career and main positions

Xu spent most of his career within the PLA and the party’s military administration. Over several decades he advanced through command and personnel posts to the highest leadership echelons. His principal roles included membership of the CCP Politburo (Politburo), promotion to the rank of general within the People’s Liberation Army, and appointment as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). In September 2004 he succeeded Hu Jintao as one of the vice chairmen after Hu moved to chair the commission; Hu’s name is commonly associated with that transition (Hu Jintao).

Key positions held by Xu Caihou included:

• Senior PLA commands and political work within military units.
• Member of the CCP Politburo, participating in national leadership discussions.
• Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, a top role in military affairs and personnel decisions.

Roles and responsibilities

As Vice Chairman of the CMC and a Politburo member, Xu had influence over military appointments and organizational matters. These offices combine party authority and military command, reflecting the CCP principle of party control over the armed forces. Occupants of such posts typically engage in strategic planning, personnel promotion, military modernization oversight, and coordination between party and defense institutions.

Investigation, expulsion and health

Following his retirement in 2013, Xu became the subject of a formal investigation by CCP disciplinary authorities. In 2014 he was accused of "serious disciplinary violations," a term used by Chinese authorities for corruption and related misconduct, and was expelled from the party in June 2014. He was reported to have been diagnosed with bladder cancer (bladder cancer) and to have received treatment in Beijing (Beijing). Before a military court martial could reach a final conclusion, Xu’s proceedings were overtaken by his declining health.

Death and aftermath

Xu Caihou died on 15 March 2015 at age 71 from bladder cancer and complications described as multiple organ failure. His case became one of the most prominent early examples of the broader anti-corruption efforts that targeted senior figures in the military and party. The investigation and its public handling underscored changing enforcement dynamics within China’s political and military systems and illustrated how discipline measures could reach high-ranking officials.

Legacy and significance

Xu’s career illustrates the dual nature of military and party leadership in the People’s Republic of China: high-ranking officers often hold overlapping political responsibilities. His downfall highlighted vulnerabilities within promotion and personnel systems that critics say can facilitate patronage and corruption. At the same time, his case contributed to subsequent calls for greater transparency and institutional reform in military governance and personnel management. Scholars and analysts view Xu’s story as part of a wider effort to strengthen party discipline and reshape civil–military relations in contemporary China.