Zhou Yongkang's long involvement in Sichuan to blame for province's corruption scandals, says party chief Wang Dongming

The Sichuan party chief yesterday said former security tsar Zhou Yongkang's long involvement in local affairs were to blame for the province's series of corruption scandals.

"[His interference] had an abominable effect on Sichuan's political ecosystem," Wang Dongming said at the delegation's open discussion.

He added that it made the province a unique case in the national anti-corruption campaign.

Zhou served as the Sichuan party chief from 1999 to 2002 before being promoted to membership of the Politburo Standing Committee, but he continued to wield his influence there for another decade.

His son, Zhou Bin , entered several business ventures in Sichuan in partnership with local officials.

According to Wang, before the 18th party congress that saw the ascension of President Xi Jinping, many Sichuan officials were eager to "hug big trees" and "climb to higher branches" - colloquialisms for getting close to top officials in the hopes of finding new opportunities.