Former Shenzhen mayor Qin Weizhong faces graft probe
SCMP · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Former Shenzhen mayor Qin Weizhong is under disciplinary review and supervisory investigation, according to an announcement by China’s top anti-corruption authorities. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said Qin is suspected of serious disciplinary and legal violations, language that typically indicates a corruption probe. Qin had served as Shenzhen’s deputy party secretary and mayor from 2021 until his resignation in August, when banking veteran Li Yun took over the posts. He was later reported to be serving in the Leading Party Members Group of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress
Key Points
- The CCDI and National Commission of Supervision announced on September 21 that Qin was under review for suspected serious violations of party discipline and state laws.
- Qin was appointed Shenzhen deputy party secretary and mayor in May 2021, and resigned in August because of a stated “change in work post”
- On August 24, Qin’s Shenzhen posts were filled by banking veteran Li Yun, with no further official explanation given for Qin’s departure
- Qin’s last public appearance was on August 28 at a Guangdong provincial legislature meeting on economic performance oversight and industrial development
- The 55-year-old Tsinghua-trained chemical engineer previously worked at Sinopec and CNPC, became Guangdong vice-governor in 2019, and remains an alternate Central Committee member.
Why It Matters
The case removes another senior official from Guangdong’s political system at a sensitive time, with Shenzhen due to host Apec meetings including a leaders’ summit in November. For Hong Kong readers, developments in Shenzhen matter because the city is a core partner in the Greater Bay Area and a major channel for cross-border business, finance and policy coordination.