Ex-Chinese minister demoted for failing to curb ‘systematic corruption’
Former civil affairs minister Li Liguo punished for failing to tackle graft within his department, amid scandal over embezzlement of lottery funds
A former Chinese civil affairs minister has been demoted for failing to impose strict party discipline at the ministry and allowing “systematic corruption” to happen under his watch.
Li Liguo has been moved to a position at deputy director level at the ministry, the government anti-graft agency the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement did not give details of the corruption found at the department, but state media have previously widely reported that millions of yuan raised each year through state lotteries overseen by the ministry were spent by officials on properties, cars – even yachts – rather than on social welfare projects.
The investigation into Li’s affairs by the anti-graft agency was first reported by the South China Morning Post in November.
Li is thought to be first case of a minister in the State Council, or cabinet, receiving a demotion, although several lower-level officials have been reduced in rank in recent years.
Li has also been placed on probation within the Communist Party for two years, the statement said.