China Southern Airlines announced on Thursday that its chairman Si Xianmin is being probed by authorities for graft and corruption. The details of the crimes Si is accused of has not been released by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

Yahoo News reported that the official announcement said Si is undergoing a probe by "the authorities for alleged serious disciplinary infractions." This is usually a euphemism for corruption. Hong Kong stock exchange officials reportedly received an official copy of the statement informing them that Si is being investigated on Thursday.

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Si has been serving as China Southern Airlines' chairman for the past six years. He is the latest casualty in President Xi Jinping's campaign against corrupt officials.

China Southern Airlines has the biggest fleet in the country. It also serves the greatest number of passengers among the three government-owned airlines.

Si is the highest official from China Southern Airlines to be probed to date. A number of lower ranking executives were being investigated in the early part of this year. In October, the airline's vice president was probed for graft.

In January, the general manager for finance of China Southern Airlines Lu Hongye and construction general manager Hu Zhiqun were placed under investigation for various corrupt practices. The charges against them ranged staying in luxury hotels, to accepting bribes, according to China Daily. Investigators found out that the two managers stayed in luxury hotels for more than 400 days in the span of two years and incurring more than $60,000 in room bills.

More than half a dozen of the airline officials are now facing anti-graft probes. An inspection conducted late last year showed that graft and corruption is heavily embedded in airline company. Most of the officials accused of corruption have either been suspended from their post or completely dismissed.

Meanwhile, the anti-graft commission is conducting a probe into the activities of the general manager of Dongfeng Motors.

Aside from Southern Airlines and Dongfeng Motors, almost a dozen other government-run enterprises are being investigated by the CCDI.

TagsSi Xianmin, Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, CCDI, China Southern Airlines, chinese corruption, China's State Enterprises, dongfeng motors, airline chairman probed