Once one of China’s most powerful men, former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang has been charged with bribery, abuse of power and intentional disclosure of state secrets.<br /><br /> The 72-year-old is the most senior Chinese official to be ensnared in such a scandal for decades. <br /><br /> Zhou was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee – China’s apex of power.<br /><br /> Now retired and expelled from the ruling Communist Party, authorities say his alleged crimes took place over decades, in several different posts.<br /><br /> The decision to prosecute him is seen as underscoring President Xi Jinping’s <br />crackdown on corruption at all levels.<br /><br /> The government’s corruption fight has extended to almost every corner of the country, including powerful state-owned companies which dominate sectors of the economy such as energy, banking and telecommunications. <br /><br /> The indictment accused Zhou of “taking advantage of his position to seek benefits for others”, “illegally accepting other people’s huge assets”, “abuse of po
