China probing minister for ‘violation of discipline'

China's minister of emergency management, Wang Xiangxi, is being investigated for suspected “serious violations of discipline and law,” a common euphemism for corruption, the anti-graft watchdog said on Saturday as a purge of senior officials continues.

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The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection did not provide details in its statement on Wang, a Communist Party secretary.

It is relatively rare for a sitting minister to undergo investigation.

In President Xi Jinping’s years-long corruption purge, the defence ministry announced last week it was investigating the nation’s top general, Zhang Youxia, who is second only to Xi in the military leadership.

Xi said this month that anti-corruption is a battle China must not lose, following a record 65 probes into high-ranking officials last year, while scrutiny has expanded to former leaders of universities and state-owned enterprises.