Beijing strips 3 aerospace-defence executives of political titles as China cracks down on corruption in crucial sector

Three senior Chinese aerospace-defence executives have been stripped of their titles as members of top national political advisory body in a possible sign Beijing is continuing its anti-corruption efforts in the sector that is key to China’s military capacity.

Xinhua reported the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) decided at a conference on Wednesday to revoke the seats of Wu Yansheng, chairman of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Liu Shiquan, chairman of the board of the China North Industries Group Corporation, known internationally as the Norinco Group, and Wang Changqing, deputy manager of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).

Wu Yansheng, chairman of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Photo: Weibo/ 观察者网

The three companies are among the top entities in China’s aerospace and defence field. CASC is the country’s main space contractor and builder of rockets and missiles, Norinco is the main platform responsible for developing mechanised, digitised and intellectualised equipment for the People’s Liberation Army, and CASIC is the only broadcasting communications satellite operator service provider in the mainland.

There were no reports before the decision of the officials being under investigation or suggestions they had fallen out of Beijing’ favour.

Wang Changqing, deputy manager of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). Photo: Weibo/ 观察者网

In September, Wu was reported to have inspected a subsidiary of the corporation, encouraging technical innovation and development of key technologies to increase competitiveness.

Liu was last reported to have visited three subunits in Xian in central China’s Shaanxi province in November, inspecting production safety.

In July, Wang visited CASICloud where he stressed the importance of a digital platform.

The aerospace and defence industry sector is a major source of technocrats favoured by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Three incumbent members in the 25-strong Politburo, the party’s decision-making body, are former senior executives from either the aerospace or defence industry.

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They include Ma Xingrui, a former space expert and now party boss of Xinjiang, Yuan Jiajun, also a former rocket scientist and now party boss of Chongqing, and Zhang Guoqing, a former Norinco boss who is now party boss of Tianjin.

Wednesday’s announcement came amid Beijing’s continuing anti-corruption drive in the defence industry. Also this week, Hu Wenming, the former party chief and chairman of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), was sentenced to 13 years in prison and fined 5 million yuan (US$700,000) by the Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court for taking bribes and abusing his power.

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The court said on Tuesday that Hu, who led the construction of China’s first domestic aircraft carrier, had used his position to take bribes and help others with promotions, project contracting and asset acquisition.

Hu, who retired in 2019, was expelled from the party and placed under formal investigation in 2021. During his time at the CSIC, he oversaw the development of the Liaoning, a refitted Soviet warship, and the Shandong, China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier.

In 2021, Chinese graft fighters also placed Yin Jiaxu, another Norinco boss, under a corruption probe.

South China Morning Post