THE EXPULSION OF XU CAIHOU FROM THE PARTY, which was announced on Monday, has once again vindicated the majority of people's belief that the anti-graft fight led by the new leadership will not treat corrupt elements with kid gloves no matter how high a position they hold or once held.

Xu, once vice-chairman of the military commission of the Party Central Committee and the People's Republic of China and also a former member of the Political Bureau of the Central Party Committee, is one of the highest ranking officials within the Central Party Committee and the highest in the central government to be expelled so far.

The announcement said his suspected involvement in bribe taking and abuse of power will be delivered to the Supreme People's Procuratorate, which will authorize its military counterpart to handle the case.