BEIJING, Jan. 16 -- The announcement that 16 senior military officials are under investigation or waiting for trial shocked many on Thursday, was the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s forceful response to their latest anti-graft pledge.

The 16 officials, of corps level and above, are accused of serious discipline violations and legal violations.

The officials span the People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s military regions including Shanxi, Tibet and Sichuan as well as its logistics department, second artillery corps and two military universities.

The unprecedented move sends a strong signal that the PLA is getting tougher on corruption and becoming more transparent in the anti-corruption drive. The CPC, which commands the army, is resolute in "purifying" the armed forces.

On Wednesday when the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection closed its three-day plenum which set the tone for 2015's counter-corruption and the PLA held its discipline inspection conference to make anti-graft arrangements in the 2.3 million-strong army.

Generals, especially members of the PLA's discipline watchdog attending the conference, were also present at this week's plenum of the CPC's top corruption eradication authority. It was the first time PLA disciplinarians attended the plenum.

Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Xu Qiliang stressed at the conference the adherence to Party discipline and rules, resolute opposition to "small cliques and factions," and focus on key fields susceptible to graft.