China`s ruling party probes charges against Premier Wen

Beijing: China`s ruling Communist Party has launched an internal inquiry into allegations that Premier Wen Jiabao amassed USD 2.7 billion, after he himself asked for a probe to clear his name, according to a report Monday.

Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported today that Wen himself sought a probe against the allegations made by the New York Times recently that his family has amassed a huge wealth during his 10-year tenure. According to the report, Wen asked for the probe in a letter to the Politburo Standing Committee - the party`s top decision-making body of which he is also a member to clear his name at the last meeting of the outgoing leadership. "The Standing Committee had agreed to his (Wen`s) request," the Post said. There was no confirmation about the veracity of the report published ahead of the November 8 Party Congress which would choose a new set of leaders to succeed President Hu Jintao, Wen and others who would retire by the end of this year. Wen`s family as well as the Chinese Foreign Ministry has already rejected the NYT report terming it as smear campaign. PTI