China’s anti-corruption authority has announced an investigation into the chairman of China Telecom Corporation, the latest high-ranking official to be targeted by the Communist Party as President Xi Jinping cracks down on corruption.

Chang Xiaobing is suspected of severe disciplinary violations, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a statement yesterday, using language that often refers to corruption investigations.

Mr Chang (58), has been chairman and chief executive of China Telecom, the country’s third-largest wireless carrier, since September. He moved across from China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd as part of a leadership reshuffle that coincided with plans for sweeping reforms to a $16 trillion (€14.6 trillion) government-owned sector.

– (Bloomberg)