A former top official at the Ministry of Environmental Protection has been held for investigation on corruption charges, as the nationwide anti-graft campaign reaches more sectors.

Zhang Lijun, 63, the former vice-minister, "seriously violated Party discipline and laws", the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China's top anti-graft body, said on Thursday.

Zhang spent 24 years of his career at a variety of environmental protection entities. He was appointed head of the Environmental Protection Bureau in Jilin province at the age of 37 and served as vice-minister of environmental protection from 2008 to 2013.

The Paper, a media outlet in Shanghai, cited anonymous sources at the ministry who said Zhang is suspected of taking bribes when he was head of China Environment News, a newspaper run by the ministry.

He was reported to be close to companies and to have used his position for personal gain, as well as for the benefit of his staff members and children.

According to China Business News, whistleblowers sent tipoffs to anti-graft authorities alleging that Zhang brought benefits to three companies and raked in 2 billion yuan ($322 million) of illegal money.

He even used the influence of organized criminal gangs to threaten competitors of the three companies, it said.

The commission sent inspectors to the ministry in November and launched a monthlong disciplinary probe.

The result, which was disclosed in February, found that "certain officials interfered in the approval of environmental projects and set up firms soliciting business in environmental evaluation, which raised the underlying risks of environmental pollution".

The head of the inspection team stationed at the ministry said it had looked into several suspected corrupt officials, and some cases were under investigation.

Amid growing public concern over environmental pollution, the ministry has said that all provincial regions on the Chinese mainland reached their targets for pollution emissions reductions last year.

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