China sacks security vice-minister
Monday, 24 February 2014
China says it has formally sacked the former vice-minister of its public security office, Li Dongsheng. State media say Mr Li was placed under investigation for "serious disciplinary violations", usually a reference to corruption, in December. It comes amid a series of investigations into officials linked to ex-security chief Zhou Yongkang. The announcement comes a day after a speech by China's premier urging action against corruption was released. In a speech given on 11 February, which state media widely publicised on Monday, Premier Li Keqiang "vowed complete transparency in government affairs" and urged auditors to be "brave in thoroughly probing violations". Formal news of Mr Li's removal comes amid persistent rumours that China's anti-graft campaign is circling around Zhou Yongkang, who served as China's security chief before retiring in 2012, according to BBC.