Investigation into China's railways chief

China's minister of railways is under investigation for "severe violations of discipline", the state news agency has reported, in a high-profile inquiry underscoring the wide-ranging corruption that threatens the ruling Communist Party's grip on power.

Ministerial-level officials in China are rarely targeted in corruption crackdowns, and the investigation of Liu Zhijun could be especially damaging to the party's credibility. The government has made huge investments in high-speed rail projects, and the railway system is vital to moving people and goods across the vast country.

Mr Liu, 58, who has been head of the railway ministry since 2003, is being investigated by the Communist Party's corruption watchdog, which can remove him from his party post but not from his government job.

The country's leadership has been trying to stamp out corruption - a major source of public distrust and anger.