Senior official who attended a banquet that led to man's death investigated

A senior official of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has been investigated for severe violation of work conduct, characterized by alcohol consumption at a banquet that led to a death in May, the central authorities said in a circular released on Friday.

The circular was jointly released by a central-level task force dedicated into overseeing the implementation of the central leadership's eight-point decision on improving work conduct as well as the general office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China. The case was published amid a Party-wide campaign aimed at cracking down on lavish banquets and official privileges.

Wei Shuanshi, Party member and deputy director of the finance and economy committee of the People's Congress of Inner Mongolia and a senior official at the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Inner Mongolia, attended a dinner gathering in Inner Mongolia's Baotou city with several hospital workers and officials on May 7. Chinese liquor was consumed and meal expenses were arranged by Wei to be covered by a private business owner.

One attendee died the next morning and Wei intended to settle the matter privately with his family members. Due to disagreements over the amount of compensations, Wei reported the case to the provincial-level anti-graft watchdog on May 15.

Local authorities have since launched an investigation into the case, and Wei was found to be involved in other serious violations of Party discipline and suspected illegal activities. Further probe is underway and Wei has been taken under control and his violations will be addressed and punished collectively.

Other attendees of the gathering and local officials deemed responsible for failing to roll out supervision have also been given punishment or warnings.

The circular urges related supervision teams to strengthen their oversight into prominent issues such as lavish banquets and excessive drinking while making a distinction with regular dining activities and avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.