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Nectar Gan

The son of China's disgraced former Hebei party chief is being investigated for suspected economic crimes that might implicate the wife of fallen political star Ling Jihua, Chinese media reported on Thursday.
Zhou Jing, 35, the son of Zhou Benshun, was taken away by police in Hunan province on July 24 - the same day that his father was announced to be under investigation for "serious violation of party discipline and law" - a euphemism for corruption, financial news magazine  Caijing reported, citing several sources with knowledge of the matter.
Zhou Benshun served as a top aide to former security tsar Zhou Yongkang, who was sentenced to life in jail in June.
The focus of Zhou Jing's investigation was economic crime, a source said.
"It may also involve his business connections to Ling Jihua's wife Gu Liping," the source said.
The report did not specify how Zhou Jing was implicated in Gu's case.
Ling, 58, a one-time top aide to former president Hu Jintao, was officially expelled from the ruling Communist Party and formally arrested last month. He will face criminal prosecution on corruption charges.
An investigation launched into Ling in December found evidence that he had also violated "political rules" and organisational discipline, and failed to protect the secrets of the party and the state, Xinhua reported at the time.
Gu was reportedly detained in Qingdao, Shandong province, as part of the investigation into her husband, although there has been no government confirmation. Media reports say Gu had used her business and NGOs to take bribes.
With Ling's case handed over to the judiciary and Gu's status unknown, graft-busters continue to close the net around their former associates.
Last month, Chinese media reported that a senior official in Guangxi province - who graft-busters said in May was under investigation - had been tied to Ling and his wife.
Zhou Jing was taken away with Hu Xiongjie, the son of a former leader of Hunan's political advisory body, Caijing reported, without naming the ex-official.
Zhou Benshun, started his official career in his home province of Hunan and was its police chief and a member of its provincial party standing committee from 2001 to 2003.
Zhou Jing and Hu were taken away at the Porsche outlet they own in Changsha, Hunan province. Zhou and Hu were closely connected, a source said.
Hu owns eight businesses involved in investment, property and construction.


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Son of ex-party boss may be linked to wife of disgraced Chinese presidential aide

Former Hebei party chief Zhou Benshun at the National People's Congress in Beijing in March. His son, Zhou Jing, is under probe for suspected economic crimes. Photo: Reuters

How Ling Jihua, once one of China's most powerful men, fell from grace

Even in 2013, things were looking down for Ling Jihua. Photo: EPA

Even in 2013, things were looking down for Ling Jihua. Photo: Reuters

Ling Jihua's wife Gu Liping. File Photo

Former Chinese presidential aide Ling Jihua faces prosecution

Ling Jihua, former vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Photo: Reuters

Diverse work of disgraced top Chinese official Ling Jihua’s wife ‘all linked to his power base’

Disgraced senior Chinese official Ling Jihua's wife Gu Liping. Photo: SCMP Pictures

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