China’s anti-corruption agency questions official who approved ‘Made In China 2025’ vehicle subsidies
- Li Dong suspected of violating ‘party discipline and law’
- Case will be evaluated by officials from outside of Beijing
China’s anti-corruption agency on Monday announced the detention of a party official in charge of implementing operations behind Beijing’s “Made In China 2025” industrial strategy.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said Li Dong, director of the industrial equipment department at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in Beijing, was “suspected of serious violation of party discipline and law” – party speak for corruption.
The agency said Li would be subject to a disciplinary review by a State Supervisory Commission team, and then his case would be evaluated by the commission’s Inner Mongolia branch, putting distance between the investigation and the ministry in Beijing.
Li’s responsibilities included approval of subsidies to new energy vehicle manufacturers that build electric cars, buses and trucks for the domestic market.
Beijing described the new energy vehicle sector as key to the development of local manufacturing, with global leadership in technology its goal under the MIC2025 plan.
The industry and information ministry controlled the subsidies to new energy vehicle buyers, which were introduced in 2009 and peaked five years later.