Corrupt Guangzhou cadre Cao Jianliao 'rejected promotions' to keep hands on cash cow

Disgraced former Guangzhou deputy mayor Cao Jianliao pocketed nearly 300 million yuan (HK$378 million) in bribes while turning down promotions to stay in lower-ranking but more lucrative posts, Xinhua reported.

Cao's downfall is linked to the controversial development of Xian, an urban village in Guangzhou's central business district, to make way for the Zhujiang New Town. The project was the focus of years of protests by villagers. When Cao was toppled in December, hundreds of villagers lit firecrackers in celebration.

State media revealed more details of Cao's "crazy corruption" scandal yesterday, including turning down several promotion offers to work in the Tianhe district government so he could stay in direct control of the CBD development as party secretary of Shahe township, which oversees Xian. Cao remained in the job for a decade from 1985.

In 1992, Cao took 2 million yuan from an unidentified Hong Kong businessman in return for approving a development, Xinhua said.

An unnamed Xian resident was also quoted as saying that "about 20 years ago, Cao's staff told us to write a joint letter [to higher levels of government] to keep Cao [at Shahe township]. We didn't know what it meant back then. It's ridiculous to the extreme now that I think of it."

Hundreds of residents are still fighting the local government and land developers to retain their land.