The investigation into Zhou Yongkang, China's former security chief, will take some time, and the central government is committed to publicizing the result in a timely manner, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Zhou, 71, is by far the highest-profile figure caught up in President Xi Jinping's crackdown on corruption and the highest-ranked official placed under investigation since the nation's reform and opening-up began in 1978.

Zhang Sujun, vice-minister of justice, said at a media briefing that the investigation is still in the hands of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection - the top anti-graft watchdog - and it will take some time to publicize the decision.

"The investigation is still ongoing and anti-graft officials will investigate and review the case according to the law," he said, " They will pay attention to collecting and reviewing the evidence."

Zhang said he believed that the departments concerned will publicize the case in an appropriate manner and through appropriate channels on completion of the investigation.

He reiterated that the investigation of Zhou's case "reflects equality before the law", adding that, "the case can strengthen our confidence in the rule of law."

Zhou is a former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the top leadership body, and retired as top security chief in 2012.

On July 29, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said Zhou is being investigated for a serious disciplinary violation.

By early August, 38 officials at provincial level or above had been placed under investigation since the Party elected its new leadership in 2012, according to statistics released by the disciplinary inspection commission.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

zhangyan1@chinadaily.com.cn