Voices from media

The launch of a public, if carefully stage-managed, investigation into Mr Zhou will lend teeth to an anti-corruption campaign that has been the centerpiece of President Xi Jinping's administration since he took power in late 2012.

Charges against Mr Zhou could well center on the fortunes made by members of his family, often in sectors once under his sway.

In initial reactions observed on Weibo, China's Twitter-like micro-blogging platform, netizens appeared to praise the announcement. Thumbs-up emoticons, "Got him!" and "Good job!" were just some of the more popular responses.