By staff reporters He Xin and Luo Jieqi

(Caijing.com.cn) Xu Zongheng, Shenzhen's mayor and the city's deputy communist party secretary, is being investigated by the party's central disciplinary committee, the official Xinhua news agency reported on June 8.

Xu was being questioned for "severe violations", according to the Xinhua report.

Speculation about Xu's possible detention surfaced after he failed to attend an investment forum June 5. People familiar with the case said the investigation began that day.

According to reports in Hong Kong and overseas media, the investigation into Xu relates to his links with billionaire Huang Guangyu, the founder of China's biggest electrical retailer, Gome Appliances. Huang has been under investigation since last year for alleged "economic crimes."

Xu's wife's activities are also being investigated.

Xu's latest public appearance in Shenzhen was June 4 when he chaired the municipal government's executive meeting.

Xu, 53 and a native of Hunan Province, had mainly worked in the party's organization department in Shenzhen before becoming the city’s mayor in 2005.

Xu is also a deputy at the National People's Congress and a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Full article in Chinese: http://www.caijing.com.cn/2009-06-08/110179384.html