CHINA'S Central Military Commission has dismissed two high-ranking officers in the People's Liberation Army and handed down lesser punishments to 16 other senior soldiers for an air crash and a flood-related mishap that claimed dozens of lives.

Zhang Guangjian, a regimental commander in the Nanjing Military Area Command's air force, was dismissed over the crash of a transport plane, the commission said yesterday.

The crash occurred on June 3 in eastern China's Anhui Province while it was on a military mission, killing all 40 people aboard.

Details about the mission, the exact location of the crash and the identities of the victims have still not been released.

But authorities did say icy conditions caused the plane to lose control.

Major General Jiang Jianzeng, deputy commander of the Nanjing military area and also commander of the area's air force, received a strong reprimand that will likely prevent further promotion, authorities said.

Guo Chunguang, air force deputy chief of staff, was demoted.

Wang Wei, the area's air force political commissar, and Yue Liu'an, deputy director of the armament department, were given lesser reprimands.

Another six unidentified officers were also given reprimands and warnings.

Separately, seven officers were punished for neglecting their duties in connection with a July 26 flash flood triggered by Typhoon Kaemi that swamped a military barracks in eastern China's Jiangxi Province, leaving 48 people dead or missing and injuring 60.

Chen Wei, deputy commander of a military regiment, was dismissed for failure to respond immediately to the emergency.

Chen also faces an investigation by military prosecutors.

Wang Anli, a regiment chief, was demoted and five others were given reprimands or warnings.

A notice issued by the Central Military Commission yesterday urged all PLA units to intensify management and enhance the sense of responsibility among their ranks.

"These factors are key to guaranteeing the safety of the troops as well as a fast and sound development of military forces," it said.

Editor: Yan