China probes senior official for corruption

BEIJING - China has started a probe into alleged corruption of Ling Jihua, a former senior aide to former president Hu Jintao, the official Xinhua news agency said on Monday.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced the investigation in a brief statement on Monday, Xinhua said.

Ling is vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Ling is investigated for "disciplinary violations", Xinhua said.

Ling was demoted in September 2012 after sources said his son was involved in a deadly crash involving a luxury sports car.