China sacks former top aide, citing graft - report

BEIJING, March 27 (Reuters) - China has sacked a top power company executive and former aide to a late national leader on bribery allegations, state media reported on Thursday, citing a Shanghai government spokesman.

Wang Weigong, a former secretary to late Vice Premier Huang Ju, had been under investigation in the wake of an inquiry into the misuse of Shanghai's pension funds that led to the dismissal of dozens of government officials and executives.

Wang had been accused of "abusing his position and taking large bribes in return for preferential treatment", and was charged with "depravity", the official Xinhua news agency said, quoting an unnamed spokesman.

The report did not give further details.

Huang, who died last year aged 68, was party boss of Shanghai until 2002, before rising to be ranked sixth in the Communist Party's all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee.

Wang, who left his post as Huang's aide last year and joined Shanghai-based power supply company Shenergy Group as vice-general manager, was also expelled from the Communist Party, Xinhua said.

Shenergy has a unit listed on the Shanghai stock exchange, Shenergy Co Ltd (600642.SS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Senior officials in China who are under investigation for corruption are often removed from Party and government posts before formal charges are made.

Graft investigations in recent years have toppled a number of Shanghai's top officials, including the city's party chief, Chen Liangyu, who now faces criminal charges for his role in the city's pension fund scandal. (Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Ken Wills)