BEIJING – A high-ranking female official in one of China's major economic provinces is under investigation for alleged corruption, accused of concealing a vast portfolio of illicitly obtained assets. The case marks the latest high-profile target in President Xi Jinping's relentless anti-graft campaign.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the Communist Party of China's top internal watchdog, announced late Sunday that Zhang Li, the Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Land and Resources, is being investigated for "grave violations of discipline and law"—a common euphemism for corruption.
While the official announcement provided limited details, sources familiar with the investigation suggest the allegations against Zhang are extensive. She is accused of secretly amassing a fortune far exceeding her official salary through illegal land deals, bid-rigging for development projects, and accepting substantial bribes in exchange for commercial permits.
The illicit assets, allegedly worth upwards of $50 million USD, were reportedly concealed through a complex network of shell companies and proxies, including close family members and business associates. Investigators are said to be tracing a trail of luxury properties in major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as international real estate in Vancouver and London. Furthermore, significant funds are believed to have been funneled into offshore bank accounts.
The probe into Zhang Li reportedly began several months ago after an anonymous whistleblower posted allegations and partial evidence on Chinese social media platforms. The initial post was quickly censored, but not before it caught the attention of anti-corruption authorities, triggering a formal inquiry.
This scandal has sent shockwaves through the provincial government and has become a major topic of discussion online, with citizens expressing anger over the alleged scale of the corruption. The case highlights the persistent challenges the central government faces in eradicating deep-seated graft, even after a decade-long crackdown that has seen thousands of officials, from low-level "flies" to high-ranking "tigers," disciplined or imprisoned.
State-media editorials have already seized on the case as proof of the anti-corruption campaign's necessity and effectiveness, reaffirming the Party's "zero-tolerance" policy. An article in the People's Daily stated, "No one is above the law, and no corrupt element will find a safe haven. The fight against corruption will continue until a decisive victory is achieved."
If the allegations are proven, Zhang Li will likely be expelled from the Communist Party, stripped of her official post, and have her assets confiscated. She will then be handed over to the state's judicial system to face criminal charges, which could result in a lengthy prison sentence. The investigation serves as a stark warning to other officials that the anti-graft dragnet remains wide and unyielding.
