Wang Tianpu once led state-owned oil giant Sinopec. The Party’s Disciplinary Committee has accused him of bribery and embezzlement of public assets. He was close to disgraced National Security Chief Zhou Yongkang.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The former general manager of China’s largest oil refiner was stripped of his membership in the ruling Communist Party and handed over to prosecutors after an internal investigation found compelling evidence of corruption, the party’s disciplinary body said on Friday.

Wang had already been investigated in connection with an explosion in the port of Qingdao, in November 2013, which killed 62 people. Today, the the party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Politburo’s enforcer, said that Wang had violated party rules, policies and discipline.

Wang offered bribes to others for career advancement, but also used his position to bring benefits to his relatives. He also illegally used public assets and state funds for personal purposes, including hosting banquets.

The investigation against him began in April 2015, when the whole oil industry came under scrutiny after by President Xi Jinping, upon taking office, vowed to crack down on "tigers and flies", that is, high-level officials and petty civil servants alike.

Chongqing’s former mayor, Bo Xilai, a political opponent of the current leader, and former National Security Chief Zhou Yongkang are among the campaign’s high-profile victims. Zhou, who was close to former president Jiang Zemin, had his power base in the energy industry.

After his fall, several top executives were convicted, including Jiang Jemin, a former head of the China National Petroleum Company (CNPC).

State-owned Sinopec is one of the largest energy companies in the world. Most of China’s current political leaders are involved with in some capacity.

• china
• indictment
• corruption
• energy
• executive
• wang
• tianpu