Top Chinese official fired for corruption in China

Li Chuncheng has been removed from the position of deputy secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for suspected "serious discipline violations," state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.

Li, 56, is a vice-ministerial level official who is the highest-ranking official to be placed under investigation since last month's conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the CPC, which elected Xi Jingpin as new General Secretary to succeed Hu Jintao.

Xi made corruption as the main issue afflicting the party and warned that the its over six decade hold on power would be lost if graft is not contained.

Investigations against Li followed a series of recent cases where officials were investigated and dismissed for corruption.

Li was elected an alternate member of the CPC Central Committee, the highest leading body of the Party, during the congress last month.

There are 205 members and 171 alternate members of the CPC Central Committee.

He is reportedly connected to corruption charges against Dai Xiaoming, chairman of the Chengdu Industry Investment Group, one of the largest State-owned enterprises in Chengdu.

A number of cases of corruption have been highlighted by the official media recently.