BEIJING • China will prosecute the "degenerate" former top official of one of China's most important cities, the south-western megalopolis of Chongqing, for leaking secrets, bribery and abuse of power, state media said yesterday.

Mr Sun Zhengcai, a senior official once considered a contender for top leadership, had been Communist Party chief of the city until an abrupt announcement in July that he had been replaced by Mr Chen Min'er, a rising political star close to President Xi Jinping. Mr Sun was put under investigation later in July.

Chongqing is perhaps best known for its disgraced former party boss, Bo Xilai, who was jailed for life in 2013 in a corruption scandal.

In a brief report, the official Xinhua news agency said a party investigation found that Mr Sun had leaked party secrets, abused his power to seek advantage for others, taken expensive gifts and exchanged power for sex. He "seriously contravened discipline in life, became corrupt and degenerate", it added. He was also "lazy and inactive".

Mr Sun has been expelled from the party and his case will be handed over to the legal authorities, Xinhua added, which means that he will be prosecuted.

REUTERS