China begins legal steps against former leadership hopeful

China begins legal steps against former leadership hopeful

Undated photo shows Sun Zhengcai, a former high-ranking Chinese official once considered a contender for the top leadership post. Chinese prosecutors said on Dec. 11, 2017, they have formally started legal proceedings against Sun over suspected bribery. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

China's Communist Party expels former leadership hopeful Sun Zhengcai

China's Communist Party expels former leadership hopeful Sun Zhengcai

Sun Zhengcai, a former high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official who was once considered a contender for the top leadership post, seen in this file photo, has been expelled by the party for "serious violation of discipline," official media reported on Sept. 29, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

China's once leadership hopeful under corruption investigation

China's once leadership hopeful under corruption investigation

Photo taken in March 2017 shows Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and Sun Zhengcai, then the Communist Party's chief of Chongqing in southwest China, attending the closing ceremony of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing. The party said on July 24 that Sun is under investigation for alleged "serious violation of discipline," an official euphemism for corruption. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

China's once leadership hopeful under corruption investigation

China's once leadership hopeful under corruption investigation

Photo taken in March 2017 shows Sun Zhengcai, then the Communist Party's chief of Chongqing in southwest China, attending the opening ceremony of the National People's Congress in Beijing. The party said on July 24 that Sun is under investigation for alleged "serious violation of discipline," an official euphemism for corruption. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo