Yunnan official allegedly being probed for graft attempts suicide, report says

A top official in Yunnan botched a suicide attempt in March, according to the website of Caixin Media.

The motive for the apparent suicide attempt is unknown. But the report said Kong tested positive for HIV during a check-up.

He was also reportedly being investigated in connection with the corruption case of Shen Peiping, a former deputy governor of Yunnan, who was removed from his post in early March.

"Wounds were found on Kong's hands, wrists and arms, and both sides of his neck and chest. All his wounds were caused by a sharp object. He was bleeding heavily when he arrived at hospital," Caixin.com cited an official as saying.

The provincial government was not available for comment yesterday.

Kong was the province's deputy governor from 2003 to last year, and was in charge of its irrigation works.

Shen, 52, became the fourth provincial-level official to be investigated this year amid a nationwide anti-graft campaign.

Shen's case came to light early this year during an inspection of Yunnan's administration by the Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The inspectors uncovered evidence of rampant abuses of power by a number of local officials involved in a number of areas, including public health, education, mining, irrigation works and land development.

Shen worked in the province for decades before becoming mayor of Puer from 2007 to 2009. However, some Puer residents said Shen was ruthless in his handling of local petitioners and had suspiciously close ties with some local businessmen.

Caixin.com reported that Kong had a close relationship with Shen, as both had been senior officials in Baoshan prefecture for years.