What’s new: Li Zaiyong, a former vice governor of southwestern China’s Guizhou province, was expelled from the Communist Party and from public office amid allegations of corruption, the country’s top graft buster said Tuesday.
Facing criminal charges, Li is accused of “recklessly violating regulations to raise funds through debt, causing significant risks,” according to a statement by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).
Li engaged in corrupt practices, used his position for others’ gains in project contracting and approval, illegally accepted substantial assets, abused power and caused significant losses for the state, the agency said.
The investigation of Li was made public in late March. At that time, Li was a member of the Leading Party Group of the Guizhou Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Background: Li, 61, is a native of Guizhou and spent most of his career in the province's officialdom. He held various positions at different levels of government in Guizhou, including in Zunyi and Guiyang. In January 2018, Li was named deputy governor of Guizhou.
He was appointed a vice chairman of the Guizhou CPPCC in January 2022, a post he held until January 2023.
China’s anti-corruption crackdown brought down five top-level officials in Guizhou before Li’s downfall. The mountainous province is known for being one of the poorest provinces in the country and one of the most heavily indebted.
Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (bob.simison@caixin.com)
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