Zhou Yongkang, the former security minister and one of China's nine most powerful men, was officially announced to be under investigation yesterday. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China announced yesterday that it was investigating Zhou Yongkang for suspected "serious disciplinary violations." This phrase is often used in China to refer to corruption. Photo: China Daily

Ke Wenlin, 47, was a geologist before becoming Zhou Yongkang's secretary and close aide. He served as vice governor of Hainan province, deputy party secretary and mayor of Haikou, the capital of Hainan, in 2013 before being investigated for corruption. Photo: Chinanews

Chen Tiexin, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference of Liaoning Province, China. On July 24, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of China announced its decision to investigate Chen Tiexin after receiving a report that he had interfered in bidding transactions for construction projects, land and mineral resources for personal gain. He is the first high-ranking official of Liaoning Province to be accused of serious violations of the law since the beginning of 2014. Photo: China News

Li Daqiu, who served as Party Secretary of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is under investigation for suspected abuse of power and position to help others get promoted, bribery, and corruption. Photo: Chinanews

Senior General Xu Caihou, a senior Chinese military official, has fallen from his horse. The former vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission was charged on June 31 with abusing his power, helping others get promoted, and accepting bribes directly or through his family. He has been expelled from the party. Photo: AFP

Su Rong, former Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference approved the decision to dismiss Su Rong at its 12th regular meeting. Photo: Xinhua

The Central Organization Department of the Communist Party of China said on June 30 that Wan Qingliang was removed from his position as Party Secretary of Guangzhou, capital of southern China's Guangdong Province. Earlier, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced that Wan was being investigated for suspected serious violations of discipline and law. Photo: Xinhua