Beijing - The Chinese Justice Minister, Mr Gao Changli (63), left his post abruptly last week for what the ministry said yesterday were health reasons, but a Hong Kong and a Western newspaper said he had been dismissed and was under investigation.
A justice ministry spokesman who confirmed Mr Gao's departure said he was unaware of a Wall Street Journal report which quoted ministry sources as saying Mr Gao had been detained and was under questioning at a hotel outside Beijing for "irregularities".