Anti-graft probe against retired official needs time: Official

BEIJING: China today said the corruption probe against one of the country's top officials in the previous administration will take time for completion amid reports of lack of consensus among leaders of the ruling Communist Party.

The investigation in Zhou Yongkang's case is under way and needs time to finish the in-depth process, said Zhang Sujun, China's vice minister of justice.

"It needs a process (to do so). All journalists and people in the country, including me, are interested in the case. I believe that related department will definitely publicise the case in an appropriate measure and an appropriate channel after the investigation comes to a close," Zhang was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency today.

Zhou, the head of the security and member of the powerful Standing Committee in the previous President Hu Jintao administration, is the first top retired official to have been prosecuted, breaking the convention not to proceed against the retired leaders.

The investigation, which is being carried out in a serious, responsible, comprehensive and systematic manner, pays attention to evidence, showing the spirit of rule of law and equality of every person before the law, Zhang said.

He said the investigation is in accordance with laws and regulations and is paying close attention to evidence.

However, there was no reference to the case of Zhou, who was stated to be under detention, in the recent conclave of top leaders, sparking speculation that President Xi Jinping is finding it difficult to proceed against the former official.

Some commentators have said the silence on Zhou may suggest the party's top ranks had yet to reach a consensus on the issue, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.