Chinese military officials will have to undergo an audit before they can retire or be promoted, state media has reported, in the latest measure in the leadership's ongoing campaign against corruption .

The audit will encompass officials' "real estate property, their use of power, official cars and service personnel", the Xinhua news agency said, citing a guideline issued by the Central Military Commission. The guideline aims to improve the "work style" of military officials and fight against graft, the report said.

President Xi Jinping has called corruption a threat to the Communist Party's very survival.

Mr Xi is also chairman of the Central Military Commission and the country's top military official.

Military officers who stand to be promoted to regimental commander-level posts and above, as well as those who plan to take up civilian posts or retire, will have to submit to an audit, the report said.