BEIJING - A top Chinese spy chief has been detained for alleged corruption in yet another high-profile case in President Xi Jinping's campaign against graft, a Hong Kong paper reported.

The probe of Ma Jian, executive deputy minister at the Ministry of State Security, is believed to be linked to an investigation into illicit activities at the top level of the Founder Group, a Peking University-owned technology conglomerate, the South China Morning Post reported.

At one time, Ma was seen as a strong candidate to head the ministry, according to the Post.

Ma is said to enjoy close ties with Ling Jihua, a former aide of ex-president Hu Jintao, the paper said, citing sources with direct knowledge of the situation. Ling is also under investigation by Chinese officials.

The latest revelation comes after last month's arrest of China's former powerful security chief, Zhou Yongkang, who was ousted from the Communist Party and placed under a judicial probe on a barrage of charges including "leaking state secrets".

Authorities announced last week that Zhou's case has been sent to prosecutors.