BEIJING - China's Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has decided to investigate Li Chuncheng, former vice Party chief of Southwest China's Sichuan province, for alleged bribe taking.

The top procuratorate has imposed "coercive measures" on him in accordance with the law.

The investigation is under way, according to a statement released on Wednesday.

The disciplinary watchdog of the Communist Party of China (CPC) announced on Tuesday that Li has been stripped of his public post and CPC membership, saying he took advantage of his position to seek gains for others and accepted large amounts in bribes.

Li was first put under investigation for alleged discipline violations in October 2012.

Special coverage: China cracks down on graft