The southwestern Chinese megalopolis of Chongqing said Saturday it will purge the "vile influence" of former top official Sun Zhengcai after he was expelled from the Communist Party for corruption.
Sun, once considered a contender for top leadership, was party chief of the city until it was abruptly announced in July that he had been replaced by a rising political star close to President Xi Jinping, Chen Miner. He was put under investigation later in July.
On Friday, the party announced he would be prosecuted for corruption, accusing him of leaking secrets, bribery and abusing his power.