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Ranking Chinese Leader Replaced Amid Reports of Probe

by Associated Press

   BEIJING --

   A Chinese politician considered a potential future leader has been
   replaced as head of the central mega-city of Chongqing amid reports he
   is facing a graft investigation.

   The move is a possible sign of a shakeup in roles ahead of a crucial
   Communist Party congress later this year.

   The South China Morning Post said Monday that Sun Zhengcai is being
   investigated by the ruling Communist Party's anti-graft arm.

   The Chongqing government said on its website Saturday that Sun Zhengcai
   was being replaced as head of the city's Communist Party committee by
   Chen Min-er.

   Both Sun and Chen sit on the party's 25-member Politburo and are
   considered candidates for promotion to the body's Standing Committee,
   the apex of political power in China.

   The Chongqing announcement gave no details on the move.