Shanghai replaces graft-case officials

Pair involved in pension fund scandal are formally removed

Shanghai yesterday formally removed two more officials from the local legislature for their roles in a massive corruption case involving misuse of the city's pension fund, and named two others to new posts in the ongoing leadership shake-up.

Deputy secretary-general of Shanghai's Municipal Party Committee Sun Luyi and the head of the Changning district, Chen Chaoxian, had ceased to be lawmakers, the Shanghai People's Congress said.

Both were closely identified with former Shanghai party secretary Chen Liangyu , who was removed in late September for his role in diverting money from the city's 10 billion yuan pension fund. Several Shanghai officials have been sacked or are being investigated.

Ding Xuexiang, previously head of the city's personnel bureau, moved to take Mr Sun's posts as deputy secretary-general and head of the party's main office, the government said.

Mr Ding has served as personnel chief since 2004. He will be replaced by Xiao Guiyu, deputy head of the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission and chairman and party secretary of the Shanghai Textile Group.

Mr Sun was formally placed under investigation for 'seriously violating discipline' in late September. A Shanghai native, he spent most of his career in academia until 1998, when he became head of the personnel bureau and held another party post.