` ` It 's almost certain '' Zhou would be put on trial , a longtime political observer says . Zhou had been on the nine - member Party Standing Committee . He had been reported to be under house arrest before Zhou 's announcement . Xi banned official extravagance -- from banquets to year-end gifts -- and vowed to target `` tigers and flies '' alike in his fight against corruption . If indicted , he would be the highest - ranking PRC official ever to face corruption charges .
` ` It 's almost certain '' Zhou would be put on trial , a longtime political observer says . Zhou had been on the nine - member Party Standing Committee . He had been reported to be under house arrest before Zhou 's announcement . If indicted , he would be the highest - ranking PRC official ever to face corruption charges .