Hangzhou Party chief dismissed over graft

Zhou Jiangyong, former Party chief of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from his post, the country's top anti-graft watchdogs said on Wednesday.

A statement issued by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission said that Zhou was punished for serious violations of discipline and law.

It said that Zhou had lost his ideals and convictions and colluded with capital in supporting its disorderly expansion. He was also accused of scheming against the investigation.

Zhou attended banquets that could have affected his impartial performance of official duties, and accepted gifts and money.

He also appointed cadres according to the request of business partners, failed to report required personal matters, and interfered in market economy, law enforcement and judicial activities.

The former chief capitalized on his positions to help others in project contracting, land transfer, tax returns and other aspects. Both he and his relatives accepted large amounts of property, engaging in family corruption.

The case and the properties involved will be transferred to the procuratorate for examination and prosecution.

The 54-year-old, a native of Zhejiang's Ningbo city, began working in 1985 and joined the Party in 1992. He served as Party chief in Zhoushan from 2015, in Wenzhou from 2017 and in Hangzhou from May 2018. Zhou was placed under investigation in August 2021.