The former secretary of Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Sun Zhengcai is under investigation for "serious discipline violation" by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, according to a decision by the CPC Central Committee.

It was announced on July 15 that Chen Min'er had been appointed to replace Sun.

The decision fully reflected the CPC Central Committee's clear attitude towards and strong determination in the Party's strict self-governance, and that everyone is equal before the law, reads a commentary to be published Tuesday on People's Daily, the CPC's flagship newspaper.

The commentary reviewed the practices of the strict Party governance in the term of the 18th CPC Central Committee, including the investigation into graft cases of Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong, Ling Jihua, and Su Rong, and ensuing punishment on them.

The handling of these cases demonstrated that all are equal before discipline, that nobody has the privilege of not observing it and that no exception - no matter how high or low his or her current or past official rank is - will be allowed in anti-graft crackdowns, the article says.

Investigation into Sun's case serves as a warning for all Party members, it says, adding that senior officials must practice strict self-discipline, conform firmly to the CPC Central Committee and CPC party constitution as well as party discipline, and set examples for cadres at all levels.