Beijing strips 3 aerospace-defence executives of political titles as China cracks down on corruption in crucial sector
- State media reports top political advisory body decides to revoke seats of executives from three major companies
- Meanwhile, Hu Wenming, former party chief and chairman of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation was sentenced to 13 years in prison and fined US$700,000
Xinhua reported that the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) decided at a conference on Wednesday to revoke the seats of Wu Yansheng, chairman of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Liu Shiquan, chairman of the board of the China North Industries Group Corporation, known internationally as the Norinco Group, and Wang Changqing, deputy manager of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
The three companies are among the top entities in China’s aerospace and defence field.
CASC is the country’s main space contractor and builder of rockets and missiles, Norinco is the main platform responsible for developing mechanised and digitised equipment for the People’s Liberation Army, and CASIC is the only broadcasting communications satellite operator service provider in the mainland.
There were no reports before the decision was announced of the officials being under investigation or suggestions they had fallen out of Beijing’ favour.
In September, Wu was reported to have inspected a subsidiary of the corporation, encouraging technical innovation and development of key technologies to increase competitiveness.
