This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5376858.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Chinese official fired over graft Chinese official fired over graft
(about 1 hour later)
The Communist Party leader of Shanghai has been sacked over a corruption scandal, Chinese state media reports. The most senior Chinese Communist Party official in Shanghai has been sacked for corruption, state media reported.
Party secretary Chen Liangyu was dismissed after a high-level probe into alleged misuse of the city's pension fund, Xinhua news agency said.Party secretary Chen Liangyu was dismissed after a high-level probe into alleged misuse of the city's pension fund, Xinhua news agency said.
He has also been suspended from the powerful Politburo, Xinhua adds.He has also been suspended from the powerful Politburo, Xinhua adds.
The financial scandal appears to be one of the biggest to hit Shanghai since economic reforms began in China three decades ago, a BBC correspondent says.The financial scandal appears to be one of the biggest to hit Shanghai since economic reforms began in China three decades ago, a BBC correspondent says.
Senior officials and businessmen are alleged to have used large sums of money from the city's pension fund to make illegal loans and investments. The government investigation has centred on the alleged misuse of at least one third of the 10bn yuan ($1.2bn) pension fund to make illegal loans and investments in real estate and other infrastructure deals.
One of China's wealthiest entrepreneurs has already been questioned as part of the government investigation, and several other officials have been removed from office. Chen Liangyu is accused of seeking benefits for companies and relatives and protecting people around him "who had seriously violated discipline and law", Xinhua reported.
Chen Liangyu is the most senior official to be sacked since Hu Jintao took over as president in 2003. His case has "created an odious political influence," the report added.
Party Congress
The probe has already led to the removal and detention for questioning of the city's social security and labour chief, a district governor and several prominent businessmen.
Chen Liangyu is the most senior official to be sacked since President Hu Jintao became party secretary in 2002.
The sacking comes ahead of the key Communist Party Congress later this year when Hu Jintao will be hoping to consolidate his leadership.
Until now, Shanghai has been considered a stronghold for officials loyal to Mr Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin.
Chen Liangyu is being temporarily replaced by Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, Xinhua reports.