Shanghai official probed over property

SHANGHAI - Authorities in east China's Shanghai said on Sunday they are investigating a local official after he was reported to own a large villa, a property that would usually be out of the financial reach of such an individual.

A recent Internet post claimed Lu owned a large house on 2,000 square meters of land.

An initial probe showed the main building of Lu Ming, deputy head of the Pudong New District government, had a floor area of 247 square meters with a 63-square-meter affiliated one-story house, said a Shanghai discipline inspection source.

Lu's family built the house in their own dwelling place, said the source, adding authorities were continuing the investigation.

The surrounding walls of the house and land have been dismantled after the exposure.

Several officials have been targeted with the exposure of their property scandals by whistle-blowers in China since last year as the ruling party vows to continue fighting corruption.

In early February, a police officer was dismissed by authorities as he reportedly owned 192 houses with double national identity cards.