China Daily: “Liu Zhijun violated discipline and will face judicial investigationLiu Zhijun, former railway minister, was expelled from the Communist Party of China due to serious disciplinary violations, according to a decision by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced on Monday.
Liu, 59, was also blamed for fostering corruption throughout the railway system. The disciplinary watchdog said Liu had taken advantage of his position to help Ding Yuxin, board chairwoman of Beijing Boyou Investment Management Corp, make huge illicit gains. He was also charged with accepting a large number of bribes and leading a corrupt life. His illicit gains have been confiscated and he will be handed over to the judicial department for further investigation. His disciplinary violations may include criminal acts, the watchdog said.
Lin Zhe, a professor at the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC who specializes in fighting corruption, said Liu will probably face severe punishment. “Expelling Liu from the Party means his political life has ended,” she said, adding such punishment for an official is very heavy. However, Lin added Liu’s case will not be brought to court any time soon, “because the case is complicated”, and more time is needed to investigate. No matter what achievements an official has made, no matter how high his position was, the authority will deal with corruption without fear or favor, Lin added.
Li Chengyan, head of Peking University’s clean government research center, said the case is being treated seriously. “Lius punishment, after a one-year investigation, shows our government attaches great importance to the case.” The announcement on Monday is the latest development in the investigation.
Liu was appointed vice-minister of railways in 1996 and minister in 2003. He was removed from his post in February last year. At least eight senior officials at the Ministry of Railways have been sacked in the past two years and placed under investigation. They include, Zhang Shuguang, former deputy chief engineer at the ministry, Luo Jinbao, former board chairman of China Railway Container Transport Co and Su Shunhu, former deputy chief of the ministrys transport bureau.”
via Former rail minister expelled from Party |Politics |chinadaily.com.cn.
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