KUNMING, Jan. 7 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) chief of Dali City in southwest China's Yunnan Province is under investigation, local authorities said Wednesday.

Chu Zhongzhi, 47, is suspected of seriously violating discipline, the provincial discipline watchdog said in a statement.

Chu began serving as a member of the standing committee of the CPC Dali Bai Autonomous Prefectural Committee, and chief of the CPC Dali municipal committee in August 2013.

Dali is a county-level city, known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, in the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture.