A widening corruption scandal involving Shanghai's pension fund has claimed another victim, causing a leadership shake-up and leaving at least three key government posts vacant.
In the latest development, a Shanghai government spokesman confirmed yesterday that Baoshan district head Qin Yu, who is also deputy Communist Party secretary of the northern district, was under investigation on suspicion of 'seriously violating regulations' in relation to the pension fund case.
The spokesman declined to give details.
The districts of Baoshan and Yangpu, as well as the Shanghai Economic Commission, now lack permanent heads due directly or indirectly to the scandal. But leaders above the bureau level have yet to be implicated in the case, despite rumours others are under investigation.
Shanghai had already planned to shuffle the leadership of its districts in the coming year, local media has reported. Such positions are closely watched because they are typically a springboard to the vice-mayor level or even higher.
Mr Qin became head of Baoshan about a month ago, meaning his problems date back to earlier jobs. Most recently he was deputy head of the general offices of both the Shanghai government and party organisation, Caijing magazine said on its website. Previously, he was secretary to former mayor Chen Liangyu, who is now the city's party secretary, the magazine said.
