WUHAN - The former party chief and chairman of Zhiyin Media Group (ZMG) in central China's Hubei province is under probe, local authorities said Thursday.

Hu Xunbi is being investigated for "serious violation of party disciplines," according to the discipline inspection commission of Hubei province.

Hu was removed from his posts in 2014, after he reportedly moved family and assets overseas.

Officials like him are dubbed "naked officials" in China and considered a high-risk group for corruption as they can easily escape to foreign countries.

ZMG grew out of Zhiyin, or Soulmate, a famous magazine focused on love and relationships, based in Wuhan, capital of Hubei. The media behemoth currently owns a number of spin-off magazines in addition to Zhiyin.