Former Chinese official investigated for ‘serious disciplinary violation’

World Today

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has placed former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang under investigation for suspected “serious disciplinary violation” on Tuesday, according to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency.

The investigation will be conducted by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Former Chinese official investigated for 'serious disciplinary violation'

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has placed former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang under investigation for suspected "serious disciplinary violation" on Tuesday, according to Xinhua, China's state-run news agency.

Until his retirement in 2012, Zhou was one of nine leaders in the party’s ruling inner circle, whose members had until now been considered off-limits for prosecution in an unwritten rule aimed at preserving party unity.

The decision to investigate the former leader was made in accordance with the CPC Constitution and the CPC discipline inspection authority’s case investigation regulation, according to Xinhua.

During his five-year tenure as security chief, Zhou oversaw the police force, civilian intelligence apparatus, paramilitary police, judges and prosecutors. Government spending on domestic security exceeded the defence budget.

However, Zhou became too powerful and that position was downgraded during a sweeping leadership reshuffle in 2012.

CCTV America’s Han Bin tells more about the CPC’s decision on the case against one of the highest ranking officials in China.

CPC investigates former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang

CCTV America's Han Bin tells more about the CPC's decision on the case against one of the highest ranking officials in China.

Zhou’s profile:

#ZhouYongkang was alternate member of 14th #CPC Central Committee; member of 15th, 16th and 17th CPC Central Committees; member of Political Bureau and Secretariat, 16th CPC Central Committee; member of Political Bureau and its Standing Committee, 17th CPC Central Committee.

Zhou Yongkang has been the first one of Political Bureau Standing Committee members, retired or sitting, to be investigated over alleged severe violations of disciplines since 1976.

He was secretary of the Political and Legislative Affairs Committee of the CPC Central Committee from 2007 to 2012.

Before being promoted to mayor of Panmian City in 1983, he had been in Liaoning Province working in geophysical exploration and petroleum industry.

Other positions he held include Vice Minister of Petroleum Industry (1985-1988), Minister of Land & Resources (1998-1999), and Sichuan party chief (1999-2002).

For more analysis to Zhou’s fall and China’s anti-corruption campaign, CCTV America was joined by Wang Xuewen. He is a political analyst and former Deputy President of the International Business Daily.

What is the meaning behind China\'s anti-corruption campaign?

For more analysis to Zhou's fall and China's anti-corruption campaign, CCTV America was joined by Wang Xuewen. He is a political analyst and former Deputy President of the International Business Daily.

Report complied with information from Xinhua and CCTV.