Vice state security minister under investigation

File photo of Ma Jian.

China is investigating Ma Jian, vice Minister of State Security, for suspected serious violation of disciplines and laws.

The announcement was made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection on Friday.

No further details are available now. It is unclear what triggered the investigation of Ma, who is said to have headed China's counter-espionage programmes.

President Xi has vowed to target high-ranking "tigers" as well as lowly "flies" in the nationwide anti-corruption campaign, which has taken down a slew of high-ranking officials, including former domestic security tsar Zhou Yongkang.

The Hong Kong-based South China Morning post said Ma worked at the intelligence agency for more than 30 years, and was promoted to a deputy minister of counter-intelligence operations in 2006.