Sinopec chairman Fu Chengyu has ordered staff to put themselves through 'self-examination' and 'self-correction' - conventional Communist Party responses to wrongdoing - over a several million yuan alcohol scandal at its Guangdong branch.
Fu said after the state-owned oil giant's annual information technology work conference on Wednesday that it bore important political, social and economic responsibilities.
'Sinopec needs to be accountable to the country, people and society as a whole,' a Xinhua report quoted Fu as saying. 'The public have every right to put forward complaints and criticism.'
Fu's comment came after an online expose leaked evidence showing the Guangdong branch of China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation had spent several million yuan on fine European wine and Maotai since September.
'Violating regulations by purchasing upmarket alcohol is not an action complying with the spirit of struggle and prudence and the fine management standards that Sinopec has long been advocating,' Fu said.
He urged employees to 'explicitly practice prudent principles to avoid wasteful spending' from now on.
A spokeswoman for Sinopec's Guangdong branch said it had accepted Fu's advice and would act accordingly. 'However, we are not authorised to release any kind of comment or information pending investigation findings,' she said.