Officials in Guangzhou punished over tree incidents

Luo Jijing, deputy Party secretary of Guangzhou, and Lin Daoping, the city's vice-mayor, are to blame for the relocation and cutting of large numbers of urban trees, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a statement over the weekend.

Luo was given an administrative warning within the Party, while Lin was given a serious warning within the Party. Both were given major demerits in governmental affairs, the statement said.

Lin has been removed from office, it said.

The large-scale relocation and cutting of trees destroyed a number of ancient trees, damaged the natural ecological environment and harmed historical and cultural features of the southern metropolis, which has a history of more than 2,200 years, the commission said, adding that what happened was a typical destructive "construction" behavior, resulting in significant negative effects and irreparable losses.

"Their mistakes are serious and the lessons are profound," it said.

Luo and Lin were among 10 Party and government officials and legislators punished in connection with the trees in the city.