Ex-environmental official held in probe

A former top official at the Ministry of Environmental Protection has been held for investigation on corruption charges, as the nationwide anti-graft campaign reaches more sectors.

Zhang Lijun, 63, the former vice-minister, "seriously violated Party discipline and laws", the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China's top anti-graft body, said on Thursday.

Zhang spent 24 years of his career at a variety of environmental protection entities. He was appointed head of the Environmental Protection Bureau in Jilin province at the age of 37 and served as vice-minister of environmental protection from 2008 to 2013.