China university officials punished for embezzlement, dishonesty

A number of officials from Chinese universities were punished for embezzlement and corruption, according to a video conference held by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday.

Wang Cizhao, principal of Central Conservatory of Music, was handed a serious warning sanction by the leading party group of the ministry, for taking advantage of his position to hold a wedding for his daughter.

He was also relieved from his post as the principal of the university, according to the conference.

Officials from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications were found listing fake expenditures to illegally gain profit. Its party chief Wang Yajie and deputy party chief Dong Xi were handed warnings, while vice principal Yang Fangchun was sacked.

Liu Ya, vice principal and Tang Guliang, former head of the Business School of the University of International Business and Economics were handed serious warnings for illicitly taking part-time jobs, and were sacked and demoted respectively, according to the conference. Their illicit income will be confiscated.

Minister of Education Yuan Guiren stated at the conference that they were publicizing the cases to send a message that there is no room for corruption, and that the country will firmly continue its anti-graft campaign.

China has taken stronger actions against corruption in universities recently. Eight top officials of the Communication University of China were punished for owning expensive cars and offices and trying to cover up the university's "chaotic" financial management last Tuesday.