Top Chinese politician charged with bribery

BEIJING: Chinese prosecutors have charged disgraced senior politician Sun Zhengcai with bribery, state media said on Tuesday, the latest development in a corruption probe into a man once considered a contender for top leadership.

In a flurry of activity before the week-long Chinese Lunar New Year break begins on Thursday, the ruling Communist Party also announced it would prosecute the former head of China´s internet regulator for graft.

Sun was abruptly removed from his post as the ruling Communist Party´s chief of the south western metropolis of Chongqing, one of China´s most important cities - in July, and replaced by Chen Miner, who is close to President Xi Jinping. He was later accused of leaking secrets, bribery and abusing his power.