Censored Chinese report links mystery coal tycoon Zhang Xinming to political elite

Mainland censors yesterday pulled a media report that alleged links between mysterious Shanxi coal-mining tycoon Zhang Xinming and a number of high-powered political figures.

The report by mainland business magazine Caijing described how Zhang, once the richest man in Shanxi, was allegedly mired in a world of murky coal mine deals, corruption and illegal financing.

The article went viral online and was pulled because it alluded to several high-ranking officials and relatives with close ties to Zhang.

Among them were three retired Shanxi leaders: former provincial party bosses Tian Chengping and Wang Maolin, as well as a former deputy party boss Yun Gongmin.

The cadres were not named in the original report but other media outlets published the names when they reprinted the story, sources said.

The Caijing report also said Zhang had close ties to the son of a major political figure, a reference understood to be to He Jintao, son of former anti-graft commission head and Politburo member He Guoqiang.

The South China Morning Post previously reported that He Jintao was under house arrest amid the investigation into former China Resources chairman Song Lin.