Badminton official Xia Xuanze faces disciplinary, legal probe

Xia Xuanze, vice-president of the Chinese Badminton Association, is being investigated for suspected serious violations of Communist Party of China disciplines and national laws, according to an announcement by China's anti-corruption authorities on Monday.

The announcement was posted on the website of the General Administration of Sport of China. Xia is undergoing disciplinary review by a discipline inspection and supervision team of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision stationed at the administration. He is also under supervisory investigation by supervisors from Nantong, Jiangsu province. Further details have not been disclosed.

Public information shows that Xia, 48, is a native of Zhejiang province and joined the Chinese national badminton team in February 1996. He won the men's singles bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and captured his first world championship title at the BWF World Championships in 2003. He officially announced his retirement from competitive play in 2007.

Xia later transitioned from a prominent player to a coach, serving as head coach of the national team's singles division.

Wang Wei, former vice-president and secretary-general of the Chinese Badminton Association, was also announced on Monday to be under supervisory investigation for suspected serious violations of national laws.

The investigation into Wang is being conducted by the CCDI and NCS team stationed at the administration and supervisors from Nantong.