In 1998, Cheng, then 64, was working night and day as a research specialist at the Ministry of Land and Resources.

Based on data from the Ministry of Land and Resources, land sale income accounts for at least half of local governments' fiscal revenue.

The Ministry of Land and Resources recently began investigating corruption in the reservation of land for the first time, China National Radio website reported.

China'sNational Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce andMinistry of Land and Resources didn't respond to requests for comment.

Wan was one of four new ministers appointed last week, along with appointments in the positioning foreign affairs ministry, land and resources ministry and the water resources ministry.