Ex-Chongqing Communist Party boss under investigation for corruption
Announcement extinguishes former rising star’s once-bright political career
The former Chongqing Communist Party boss, Sun Zhengcai, once considered a top contender for a role in China’s next leadership line-up, is under investigation by the party’s top anti-graft agency, state-run Xinhua reported on Monday.
The announcement confirmed a South China Morning Post report last week that he was under investigation.
Sun, 53, who was replaced as Chongqing’s party chief on July 15 by a trusted protege of President Xi Jinping, is being investigated by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection for “serious violations of party discipline”, an euphemism for corruption.
The one-line announcement comes just months ahead of the party’s five-yearly leadership reshuffle in the autumn and could affect the final line-up.
However, the prospects for Sun’s successor, Chen Miner, are brighter than ever. Chen, a close associate of Xi since his five-year stint as Xi’s propaganda chief in Zhejiang, has been in the promotion fast lane. His new job will most likely gain him a seat on the Politburo at the autumn congress, analysts say.