Once one of China’s most powerful men, former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang has been charged with bribery, abuse of power and intentional disclosure of state secrets.

The 72-year-old is the most senior Chinese official to be ensnared in such a scandal for decades.

Zhou was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee – China’s apex of power.

Now retired and expelled from the ruling Communist Party, authorities say his alleged crimes took place over decades, in several different posts.

The decision to prosecute him is seen as underscoring President Xi Jinping’s
crackdown on corruption at all levels.

The government’s corruption fight has extended to almost every corner of the country, including powerful state-owned companies which dominate sectors of the economy such as energy, banking and telecommunications.

The indictment accused Zhou of “taking advantage of his position to seek benefits for others”, “illegally accepting other people’s huge assets”, “abuse of po