Warning to Chinese army

China’s top military newspaper has told troops to ignore internet rumours and steel themselves for “ideological struggle” as the ruling Communist Party faces a leadership transition.

The Liberation Army Daily did not mention rumours of a foiled coup in Beijing that have spread on the internet in past weeks, after the ousting of Bo Xilai, an ambitious contender for a spot in the new central leadership to be decided later this year.

It shows the party leadership wants to inoculate the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) against rumours that could erode the authority of president Hu Jintao, who also serves as head of the party and chairman of the Central Military Commission

The paper told soldiers to “resist the incursion of erroneous ideas, not be disturbed by noise, not be affected by rumours, and not be drawn by undercurrents, and ensure that at all times and under all circumstances the military absolutely obeys the command of the Party central leadership, the Central Military Commission and Chairman Hu.”