Two more former senior Chinese officials prosecuted for corruption

(Baonghean.vn) - Reuters news agency quoted the announcement of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China on January 19 saying that it will prosecute two former high-ranking officials of the country, including former Vice Mayor of Shanghai Ai Baojun, on charges of abuse of power and bribery.

Mr. Ai Baojun, former Vice Mayor of Shanghai, is one of the high-ranking Chinese officials who has just been prosecuted for corruption. Photo: Shanghai Port Information Portal.

Mr. Ngai Bao Tuan was investigated for corruption in November 2015, accepting gifts in exchange for power and "profiting" for relatives in many transactions. He also frequently visited private clubs and golf courses, where shady transactions are said to have taken place.

Ai Baojun has been expelled from the Party and will be prosecuted, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China said.

The second former official to be prosecuted is Zhou Laizhen, former deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. He is also accused of accepting bribes and seeking benefits for relatives; in addition, he used public funds for personal banquets and travel. Like Ai Baojun, Zhou Laizhen was expelled from the Party and will be prosecuted.

However, the committee did not make any further comments on the two former officials and did not specify whether they had defense lawyers.

Since taking power, Chinese President Xi Jinping has waged a vigorous anti-corruption campaign. Many high-ranking Chinese officials have been caught, the most senior of whom to date is former Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang.

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)