In order to burnish the image of China's Communist Party, President Xi Jinping had, since taking office, launched an anti-corruption campaign, which he said would target both "tigers and flies" - high and low ranking officials in the government. Zhou Yongkang is no doubt a tiger.

Historically a dragon is the symbol of the Chinese emperor. Is Xi supposed to be the "shaken dragon", who doesn't feel confident enough to break the unwritten rule that China's top leaders - including those who have retired - shall not be investigated?



It's unknown why Zhou Yongkang was sacked in 2000, when he was minister, whose Land and Resources department oversaw land use and building permits. Then he was appointed Public Security Minister, thus a member of the politburo in 2003. His priority was to maintain law and order in the country and his policemen ddidn't hesitate to strike hard.

As China's top policeman Zhou was much feared. Yet it was his background as engineer specialising in exploration, that made him and his siblings rich. He had been general manager of the China National Petroleum Corporation, the country's largest oil and gas producer. While being minister of Land and Resources, he also helped Chinese companies seek investment in Zimbabwe.

He began to lose his grip of power as the Bo Xilai scandal unravelled. Seen as Bo's mentor, there was rumour of a coup in March 2012 - an alleged attempt by Zhou - to remove Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao from office. Later he was said to be sidelined because Bo confessed that he has received support from Zhou, who helped him to make contact with various central party departments. Zhou saw his own downfall in the wake of Bo's sacking and was replaced in November 2012. Since then he and his business and political associates have become targets of Xi's anti-corruption drive.

