The US Securities and Exchange Commission has ordered JPMorgan to hand over any correspondence with Wang Qishan, one of the seven politburo members who rule China, in connection with a probe into how the bank hired the children of high-ranking Chinese officials to help win business.

According to two people familiar with the investigation, the SEC told the bank to provide all its correspondence with 35 Chinese officials, including Mr Wang, in April. While Mr Wang ranks sixth in the Politburo Standing Committee, he is seen as the second most powerful man in China after President Xi Jinping because of his role leading the anti-corruption campaign that has netted thousands of Communist party members.

JPMorgan’s hiring of the relatives of clients and government officials in China forms the heart of an investigation by US and Hong Kong authorities which encompasses other Wall Street banks. The move to name Mr Wang is likely to raise tensions with China at a time when relations are already on edge because of disputes involving the South China Sea and other disagreements.