CHINA- Li Chongxi, who was once an aide to ex-security chief, Zhou Yongkang, is being investigated for corruption by the government.

This follows President Xi Jinping’s declaration that the battle against corruption in the most populated country in the world is a top priorioty.

On Saturday, state media said more than 500 officials in Hunan resigned following an election bribery scandal.

"Li Chongxi, chair of Sichuan province's Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is currently being investigated for suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations," the Communist Party watchdog said in a statement on its website.

The statement gave no other details. The term "serious disciplinary violations" is used to refer to corruption by Communist Party members.

Mr Li has not commented publicly on the claims.