Mayor of Shenzhen in corruption probe

• Source: The Global Times
• [07:23 June 09 2009]
• Comments

Rumors about Xu being put under shuanggui, an extralegal form of detention imposed on Party officials, have been circulating since his absence Friday from the 11th China Venture Capital Forum being held in Shenzhen.

Hong Kong newspapers said Xu was detained for investigation early Friday morning and that his wife was also “under control.”

Xu made his last official appearance Thursday at a signing ceremony with Cisco, media reported.

On Tuesday he held closed-door talks with Tang Ying-yen, chief secretary for administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Xu was elected deputy mayor of Shenzhen in 2003, and mayor in 2005.

He once said he was a diligent mayor but not a qualified husband and father.

“I work 15 hours every day, so I’m too tired to talk with my wife when I go home,” he told World Entrepreneurs magazine.