Sinopec demotion over liquor abuse

GUANGZHOU - The former general manager of Sinopec Guangdong was demoted in reaction to a scandal concerning extravagant liquor bills, the company said on Monday.

The Guangdong branch of the Sinopec Group, one of the State-owned petroleum giants in China, ordered the former general manager, named Lu Guangyu, to pay 131,100 yuan ($20,100) for the liquor he had consumed.

"The scandal has greatly destroyed Sinopec's image and resulted in harm to the company's business," Fu Chengyu, Sinopec chairman, said at a press conference on Monday. "Lu should be held directly responsible for the loss."