Senior political adviser expelled from Party over corruption scandal

China's top anti-graft watchdogs have expelled Li Zaiyong, former vice-chairman of the Guizhou Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, from the Communist Party of China and removed him from public office due to serious violations of Party discipline and the law.

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission issued a statement confirming Li's expulsion from the Party, stating that his ill-gotten gains had been confiscated. His case, along with the associated assets, will be forwarded to procuratorial organs for further review and prosecution.

According to the statement, Li displayed a distorted view of power and job performance, deviating significantly from major decisions and directives issued by the CPC Central Committee. He failed to adhere to the new development concept, engaging in labor-intensive and financially wasteful showcase projects while recklessly violating regulations through borrowing and financing, leading to substantial debt risks.

Moreover, Li severely harmed the local ecological environment during his tenure, deliberately resisted Party organization inspections, and was involved in superstitious activities for an extended period. He accepted banquets and travel arrangements that could compromise the impartial execution of his official duties and concealed or failed to report personal matters as required by regulations. He provided untruthful answers during organizational inquiries.

Li was also found to use his authority to seek benefits for others in the selection and appointment of Party and government cadres, engage in corruption, engage in power-sex trade, interfere with the independent rights of the masses in production and business, and intervene in judicial and disciplinary law enforcement activities.

His long-standing gambling addiction led him to use his power to assist others in engineering contracting, project planning approval, and other matters, accepting substantial amounts of property. His abuse of authority resulted in significant losses to public property and the interests of the State and the people.

Li, 61, a native of Guizhou, began his career in 1983 and joined the Party in 1984. He served in various roles in Guizhou, including Zunyi, from 1983 to 2001. From 2018 to January 2023, he held the position of vice-governor of Guizhou. Soon afterward, he became the vice-chairman of the CPPCC Guizhou Provincial Committee. He was placed under investigation in March this year.