Wang Baoan Head of China’s Statistics Bureau Probed for Corruption

Wang Baoan， the head of Chinas statistics bureau， responsible for calculating the countrys economic figures， is being probed for corruption.

“Wang Baoan is suspected of severe disciplinary violations， he is currently under investigation，”the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a one-line statement on its website， using a phrase that normally refers to corruption.

Wang was appointed head of the National Bureau of Statistics in April of last year. He previously spent about 17 years in various positions in the finance ministry， including as vice-minister.

Official allegations of graft against high-level politicians are generally followed by an internal probe by Chinas Communist Party， and sometimes lead to criminal proceedings almost guaranteed to end in conviction.

Internal investigations into high-level party officials operate without judicial oversight. Once announced， they are likely to lead to a sacking followed by criminal prosecution and jail sentence.

Authorities have been pursuing a hard-hitting campaign against allegedly crooked officials since President Xi Jinping took office in 2013， a crusade that some experts have called a political purge.endprint