Two top officials questioned in Inner Mongolia graft investigation

The two top officials in Inner Mongolia have reportedly been the subject of corruption investigations by the Communist Party's discipline watchdog.

Chu Bo, 62, party secretary of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Yang Jing, 53, chairman of the regional government, were reportedly questioned by a team sent by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said the Hong Kong-based Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

A power struggle between the two men, both candidates for representatives to the 17th party Congress this autumn, had surfaced ahead of the meeting, the centre said.

The party disciplinary watchdog had received complaints and accusations against both men, and an investigation team sent to Inner Mongolia in the middle of last month had left last week, the centre said.

Mr Chu and Mr Yang were questioned but were performing their duties as usual and were not under shuanggui - disciplinary procedures for party members - the centre quoted a source saying.

'Currently, Inner Mongolia is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and no high-level officials will be punished,' the source said.