Ex-Tianjin mayor suspected of graft

Huang Xingguo, former acting Party chief and major of Tianjin, is under investigation for alleged bribery, the Supreme People's Procuratorate announced on Sunday.

The SPP said in a statement that Huang, 62, has been placed under "coercive measures", which include residential surveillance, detention and arrest, and that an investigation is ongoing.

According to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the country's top anti-graft body, Huang severely violated the Party's political discipline and the code of conduct, as well as failing to follow major decisions made by the central leadership and resisting an investigation by anti-graft inspectors.

In addition, he abused his power to gain benefits for others in relation to the promotion of officials, and accepted bribes of cash or property.

He also indulged his family members, using his influence to seek private gains, the CCDI said.

Between 2014 and 2015, when inspectors sent by the CCDI were conducting an inspection in Tianjin to collect evidence of graft involving senior officials, Huang contacted Yuan Weihua, a senior inspector at the CCDI, offering a bribe in return for information about his case and corrupt officials.

This month, Huang was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office.

Huang was elected mayor of Tianjin in January 2008 and acting Party chief of the city in December 2014.

Since November 2012, anti-corruption has been a top priority for the top leadership led by President Xi Jinping, who has conducted a sweeping drive to fight against corruption.

zhangyan1@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/23/2017 page4)