Top Chinese official held for corruption

A top Chinese official of the state-run shipbuilder, which developed China's first home-grown aircraft carrier, has been detained on the suspicion of corruption, the country's anti-graft body said today.

Sun Bo, General Manager of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, was investigated for "suspected serious violation of Party disciplinary rules and law", the ruling Communist Party of China's (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and National Supervisory Commission said in a statement.

The serious violations of party discipline is a euphemism for corruption.

Sun, also deputy chief of the company's leading CPC members' group, is under investigation, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

It is significant that investigation against Sun was coincided with the launch of the first indigenously developed aircraft carrier by his company China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC).

Over a million CPC officials were jailed or faced anti-graft investigations since Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a massive anti-corruption campaign after he came to power in 2013.

Over 50 top military officials including two Vice Chairmen of the power Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the Chinese military, were punished in the sweeping anti-graft campaign.

One of the country's two major shipbuilders, CSIC plays a lead role in the development and construction of naval vessels, including nuclear and conventional submarines, and aircraft carriers.

CSIC has constructed China's second aircraft carrier, which in May had completed the sea trials and returned to its port in Dalian where it was built.

The first aircraft carrier Liaoning, which was launched in 2012, was a refit of the former Soviet vessel bought from Ukraine.

The People's Liberation Army Navy said that the second aircraft carrier underwent five-day sea testing multiple facilities and attained the anticipated objectives.

The completely home-grown aircraft carrier weighs 50,000-metric tonnes.