China probes senior defence and space administrator in widening purge

The deputy head of China's defence industry administration and its national space ​administration, Bian Zhigang, is under investigation for "suspected ‌serious violations of discipline and law", the country's anti-graft watchdog said on Wednesday.

China is in the midst ​of a years-long anti-corruption campaign initiated ​by President Xi Jinping that has seen ⁠scores of senior officials as well as ​top generals probed, removed and purged.

Last month, ​two former Chinese defence ministers were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve over graft charges.

That followed a ​string of purges in recent months involving ​state-owned arms manufacturer executives, weapons researchers and nuclear scientists.

The defence industry agency ‌where ⁠Bian has had a long career oversees China's cutting-edge defence sectors. It is formally known as the State Administration of Science, Technology ​and Industry ​for National ⁠Defence.

The agency's website says it is "responsible for the organisation and coordination ​of major matters related to weapons ​and ⁠equipment research and production in the fields of nuclear, space, aviation, shipbuilding, armaments and electronics, as ⁠well ​as the development of ​core defence industry capabilities".

Bian could not be reached for comment ​on Wednesday.

-Reuters