China’s Anti-Corruption Drive Hits Airline Boss

Liu Shaoyong, once the chief of China Eastern Airlines, is now under intense scrutiny for alleged bribery. Authorities claim he leveraged multiple high‑ranking positions to favor certain parties and pocket money and gifts.

• Scope of the Case
  The investigation covers Liu’s entire career, including his tenure leading China Eastern Airlines, not just earlier roles.

• Party Expulsion
  Earlier this month, China’s top prosecutor announced that Liu had been expelled from the Communist Party in January.

• Context of Anti-Corruption Drive
  The crackdown is part of President Xi Jinping’s broader effort, begun in 2012, to tighten the party’s grip on corruption. The campaign targets both “tigers” (senior officials) and “flies” (lower‑level workers).

• Focus Areas
  The investigation examines misuse of public funds and resources, covering:
• State‑owned businesses
• Bank loans
• Infrastructure projects

• Local government spending

• Other Recent Cases
  In the same week, former party member Hou Weidong of the Bank of Communications was also expelled. He allegedly accepted gifts and borrowed large sums, with others covering his expenses in a case still under review.

• Local Government Officials Punished
• Jin Zhizhen: Former vice‑chair of a regional advisory body, expelled from the party and stripped of his post.
• Zhou Xi’an: Received a suspended death sentence after accepting over 134 million yuan in bribes.

These moves underscore China’s relentless push to root out corruption at all levels, proving that no position is beyond reach.