Chinese ruling party official faces inquiry

One-time rising Chinese political star Sun Zhengcai is being investigated for breaching party discipline, the ruling Communist Party announced yesterday. Mr Sun is the highest-ranking serving official to be ensnared by president Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign, now in its fifth year. The party’s anti-corruption watchdog agency said Mr Sun, 53, the leader of the mega-city of Chongqing until last week, is suspected of “serious violation of discipline”, its usual shorthand for corruption and abuse of power. The announcement comes ahead of a party congress at which Mr Xi is expected to receive a second five-year term as party chief and unveil a new list of top leaders loyal to him alone.