Man behind China’s new aircraft carrier detained in corruption investigation
Sun Bo, general manager of China Shipbuilding Industry Corp, suspected of serious violations of law, party discipline, watchdog says
The deputy head of the shipbuilder developing China’s first home-grown aircraft carrier has been detained on suspicion of disciplinary violations, the usual euphemism for corruption.
Sun Bo, general manager of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), is suspected of serious violations of the law and party discipline, the National Supervisory Commission said in a brief statement issued on Saturday night.
The inquiry comes as President Xi Jinping is pushing for China to modernise its navy and become a major maritime power.
One of the country’s two major shipbuilders, CSIC plays a lead role in the development and construction of naval vessels – including nuclear and conventional submarines, and aircraft carriers – as well as China’s deep-sea research submersible Jiaolong, which can reach greater depths than any other vessel like it in the world.