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China to expel prominent scientist Wang Xiaojun from top body as corruption probe keeps sights on PLA Rocket Force
- Wang Xiaojun led development of Long March 7 rockets used to resupply Tiangong space station and launch satellites
- Decision follows regular meeting chaired by CPPCC chairman and Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Huning
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A prominent Chinese rocket scientist will be expelled from China’s top advisory body after a meeting on Monday, a development that comes amid Beijing’s investigation into leaders of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force on suspicion of corruption.
Wang Xiaojun, who led the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, will be removed as a representative on the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), state broadcaster CCTV said without detailing why Wang was being removed.
The decision came after Wang Huning, the CPPCC chairman and a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, chaired a regular meeting with his deputies. The meeting did not have the power to dismiss Wang outright. The decision is likely to be made final in March, before the conference and national legislature meet.
China has targeted senior officials in and close to the rocket force, which oversees nuclear and missile development.
Three senior Chinese aerospace-defence executives were dismissed from the CPPCC in December. Two days later, five former or serving leaders of the force were removed from the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body.
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