Yang Weize, Party chief of Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, led a 4,000-meter race with locals on Jan 1 to celebrate the New Year. Three days later, he became the first provincial-level official investigated for suspected "serious violations of discipline" and laws in 2015.

The announcement of the 53-year-old's investigation was posted on the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection website on Sunday evening.

The one-sentence announcement offered no details, but the term is a synonym for bribery, embezzlement and other forms of corruption.

Born in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, Yang has spent most of his career in Jiangsu.

He has been the Party chief of Nanjing, one of the most important cities on the Yangtze River Delta, since 2011.

In 2014, Ji Jianye, former mayor of Nanjing, was investigated on suspicion of accepting bribes and abusing power.

It's not clear if Yang's investigation has any connection with Ji's case.

Ji, 57, was accused of taking huge bribes that could total 20 million yuan ($3.3 million).

cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn