Deputy head of China's energy agency fired in graft probe

The deputy head of the Chinese Cabinet agency in charge of energy policy for the world's second-largest economy has been dismissed on graft charges, the country's anti-corruption agency said Tuesday.

The probe of Wang Xiaolin, a former longtime executive in the state-owned coal industry, adds to a string of senior officials who have been ensnared in President Xi Jinping's marathon anti-corruption crackdown.

Wang is suspected of "serious discipline violations," the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said, using the official euphemism for corruption. It said the case was handed over to prosecutors but gave no details of the accusations against him.

Wang joined the National Energy Administration in 2015 after working at Shenhua Group, one of the biggest global coal producers.

Hundreds of other officials convicted or accused of taking bribes or stealing public money include army generals, China's insurance regulator and a former chief internet censor.

The crackdown is popular with the Chinese public but has been criticized by human rights activists and lawyers because it is led by the ruling Communist Party's discipline agency instead of government prosecutors.