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Ling Jihua: China investigates top aide to former president | Ling Jihua: China investigates top aide to former president |
(about 1 hour later) | |
China has launched an investigation into former President Hu Jintao's most senior aide, state media report. | China has launched an investigation into former President Hu Jintao's most senior aide, state media report. |
Ling Jihua is accused of "disciplinary violations", Xinhua news agency said, which usually refers to corruption. | Ling Jihua is accused of "disciplinary violations", Xinhua news agency said, which usually refers to corruption. |
He was demoted in 2012 after reports that his son had died crashing his Ferrari sports car in Beijing. | He was demoted in 2012 after reports that his son had died crashing his Ferrari sports car in Beijing. |
Correspondents say the investigation shows current President Xi Jinping feels secure enough to detain even the trusted advisers of his predecessor. | Correspondents say the investigation shows current President Xi Jinping feels secure enough to detain even the trusted advisers of his predecessor. |
Xi Jinping took over from Hu Jintao as the Communist Party leader and China's president in late 2012. | Xi Jinping took over from Hu Jintao as the Communist Party leader and China's president in late 2012. |
Since the transition, Mr Xi has introduced a wide-ranging crackdown on corruption, warning it could threaten the party's very survival. | Since the transition, Mr Xi has introduced a wide-ranging crackdown on corruption, warning it could threaten the party's very survival. |
The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says the case again highlights that China's anti-corruption campaign has real teeth and that no-one - no matter how senior - is untouchable. | The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says the case again highlights that China's anti-corruption campaign has real teeth and that no-one - no matter how senior - is untouchable. |
Analysis: Carrie Gracie, BBC News China editor | |
President Xi Jinping has described his anti-corruption campaign as a fight against tigers as well as flies. | |
This year has seen a succession of once untouchable Communist Party officials making tearful confessions in courtrooms before shuffling off to serve long prison terms. | |
But even by the sensational standards of recent months, Ling Jihua is a very big tiger indeed. | |
He was, in effect, presidential chief of staff to Mr Xi's predecessor, Hu Jintao - the gatekeeper at the very heart of power for a decade. | |
Ling Jihua's problems began more than two years ago when rumours began to swirl about an alleged cover-up over his son, who died while driving his Ferrari alongside two semi-clad young women. | |
Over recent months the net has been closing in on the entire Ling family as corruption investigations were announced into one brother after another. | |
But Monday's announcement about Ling Jihua brings the anti-corruption campaign very close to a former president - an unmistakable message to the public that the entire system is riddled with corruption. | |
Moreover, after two years and thousands of arrests, the campaign to eradicate this corruption is by no means over. | |
Earlier this month it was announced that former Chinese security chief Zhou Yongkang was facing corruption charges - a move that sent shockwaves through the political elite. | Earlier this month it was announced that former Chinese security chief Zhou Yongkang was facing corruption charges - a move that sent shockwaves through the political elite. |
A week later, former top economic official Liu Tienan was jailed for life for accepting millions of dollars in bribes. | A week later, former top economic official Liu Tienan was jailed for life for accepting millions of dollars in bribes. |
Critics say President Xi's campaign is as much about eliminating political rivals as it is about tackling corruption. | Critics say President Xi's campaign is as much about eliminating political rivals as it is about tackling corruption. |
But by taking on such senior officials, President Xi will win the support of the public, our correspondent adds. | But by taking on such senior officials, President Xi will win the support of the public, our correspondent adds. |
Until the scandal involving his son, Mr Ling had been tipped for promotion to the party's Politburo. | Until the scandal involving his son, Mr Ling had been tipped for promotion to the party's Politburo. |
Instead, he was moved from head of the Central Committee's General Office - in effect chief of staff to China's leader - and appointed to the less influential post of head of the United Front Work Department. | Instead, he was moved from head of the Central Committee's General Office - in effect chief of staff to China's leader - and appointed to the less influential post of head of the United Front Work Department. |
The identity of those inside the Ferrari was never revealed and censors blocked online comments mentioning the crash. | The identity of those inside the Ferrari was never revealed and censors blocked online comments mentioning the crash. |
However, reports said Mr Ling's son was behind the wheel and the two passengers were described as scantily-clad women. Mr Ling was accused of trying to cover up the scandal. | However, reports said Mr Ling's son was behind the wheel and the two passengers were described as scantily-clad women. Mr Ling was accused of trying to cover up the scandal. |