China expels defence industry officials from legislature amid corruption crackdown
Three senior executives removed from National People’s Congress without explanation could face disciplinary action or criminal charges
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Wednesday said it had expelled Liu Cangli, former president of the China Academy of Engineering Physics, Luo Qi, chief engineer of the China National Nuclear Corporation, and Zhou Xinmin, former chairman of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
It did not say why they had been expelled. There has been no official statement indicating that any of the three were under investigation but they have missed several key meetings or were removed from their jobs.
Their removal from the legislature suggests they may face further disciplinary action or criminal charges.
The dismissed officials all held key positions in China’s defence industry, which has been in the crosshairs of Beijing’s campaign against corruption in the past three years.
Liu, 64, was director of the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP) – a nuclear weapons research and production unit – for nine years from 2015. Prior to that he had worked at the institution for many years.