Guangzhou's party boss Wan Qingliang, a rising political star, now facing graft investigation
Wan Qingliang, whose position has often been a stepping stone to higher political office, is being held for 'grave violations of discipline'
Wan Qingliang, the Communist Party chief of Guangzhou who was once considered a rising political star, is under investigation for corruption, the party's anti-graft agency has announced.
Wan's downfall is significant, as being party chief of the metropolis of 12 million people is traditionally a stepping stone to higher office. Wan's predecessors Huang Huahua and Zhu Xiaodan were both promoted to Guangdong governor after holding the post.
The brief notice by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection yesterday said only that Wan, 50, was suspected of "grave violations of discipline" - a party euphemism for corruption. A source close to the Guangzhou government said Wan was taken from the official compound by police yesterday afternoon.
The announcement came as a surprise to many. A day earlier, Wan had made a public appearance touring a district in the city accompanied by local officials. Yesterday's , the municipal party committee's official newspaper, had a report of the tour on its front page.
The probe into Wan appeared to be a cause for concern for Guangdong officials.
"[News of the detention] is a bombshell to us," said a Guangzhou official who declined to be named. Wan was seen as having a bright future after rising up the ranks at a relatively young age.
He was head of the Guangdong Communist Youth League, the power base of former president Hu Jintao .
