Xu Zongheng was the mayor

Mayor

In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....

 of Shenzhen

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...

, Guangdong

Guangdong

Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...

, China from June 2005 to June 2009. During his term of service, an agreement

Contract

A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...

 was reached on the Shenzhen-Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

 Innovation Circle to develop both cities into a metropolis

Metropolis

A metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...

.

In June 2009, Xu was placed under investigation

Detective

A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...

 for "severe violations" and later dismissed from the mayor position. Sources reported that Xu was allegedly involved in the corruption

Political corruption

Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...

 scandal

Scandal

A scandal is a widely publicized allegation or set of allegations that damages the reputation of an institution, individual or creed...

 involving Gome Electrical Appliances

GOME Electrical Appliances

GOME Electrical Appliances Holding Limited is one of the largest privately-owned electrical appliance retailers in Mainland China and Hong Kong. It was founded by Wong Kwong Yu , a Chinese businessman, in Beijing in 1987. Its brand name "GOME" was first adopted in 1993...

 founder, Huang Guangyu.

Xu has been replaced as mayor by Wang Rong

Wang Rong (official)

Wang Rong is the acting mayor of Shenzhen City, Guangdong, and was the party secretary of Suzhou City, Jiangsu. He replaced the Shenzhen mayor position in June 2009 to replace Xu Zongheng, who was dismissed from the mayor position after being found involved in corruption scandal.-References:...

.