What’s new: Yu Zhigang, former member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the Chinese legislature’s top decision-making body, has been punished for “serious violations of discipline and law” including taking bribes.
Yu has been expelled from the Communist Party and dismissed from his positions, according to a statement (link in Chinese) issued Monday by the party’s central discipline watchdog. He is reported to have engaged in “serious duty-related violations” and had his ill-gotten gains confiscated. He will face further legal proceedings, the statement said.
According to the statement, Yu had accepted gifts, money, banquet invitations and trips arranged by others. He had used his position to take bribes in exchange for using his public power for private purposes.
The background: In recent years, officials and party members have been investigated and punished from disciplinary watchdogs as part of a nationwide anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by President Xi Jinping.
Yu was placed under investigation for suspected serious violations of disciplinary rules and laws in January. Prior to the probes, he served as deputy head of China University of Political Science and Law.
Contact reporter Cai Xuejiao (xuejiaocai@caixin.com) and editor Heather Mowbray (heathermowbray@caixin.com)
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