Government departments in Guangzhou's Panyu district are investigating claims a senior local official owns 21 properties.

"The Party commission for discipline inspection and relevant departments in Panyu district have started a probe into Cai Bin, commissar of Panyu district branch of Guangzhou Administrative Committee of Urban Management,"said an unnamed official from Guangzhou Administrative Committee of Urban Management.

"If investigations reveal Cai has violated laws or has acted improperly in economic terms, such as taking bribes, he will be transferred to the procuratorial organ for prosecution according to laws and relevant regulations," said the official.

Cai, 56, came under scrutiny after local media revealed on Monday that he and his family members own 21 properties, including factory buildings, villas, commercial apartments, business complexes and parking lots.

Cai's properties, located in the Panyu and Nansha districts in the Guangdong provincial capital, boast floor space of 7,203.33 square meters, and are estimated to be valued at more than 40 million yuan ($6.35 million). Their worth far exceeds the purchase power of an official in Panyu district.

Cai's wife Shi Lizhen was director of the general office and secretary-general of Panyu district association of industry and commerce before she retired. Cai and Shi have a son.

Cai was deputy director of Panyu district bureau of public security before he was transferred to the district branch of Guangzhou Administrative Committee of Urban Management in 2000.