The deputy director of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Radio and Television Bureau, and a first-level inspector, Wang Zhengru, was recently investigated for “serious violations of discipline and law,” as reported by the Ningxia Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision on February 24. Wang Zhengru, who is speculated to be the younger brother of former vice chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Wang Zhengwei, who was rumored to have been investigated and marginalized post the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, retired in March 2023.
Public records show that Wang Zhengru, born in February 1980 to a Hui family in Ningxia, holds a doctoral degree in law and has served in various positions including deputy director of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Cultural Department. Wang Zhengru’s career trajectory includes roles such as member of the Standing Committee and Minister of Propaganda Department of the Guyuan Municipal Committee, Minister of the United Front Department of the Guyuan Municipal Committee, and Minister of the United Front Department and Propaganda Department of the Shizuishan Municipal Committee. In March 2025, Wang Zhengru assumed the position of party committee member and deputy director (first-level inspector) of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Radio and Television Bureau.
It is noteworthy that Wang Zhengru shares similarities with Wang Zhengwei, not only in name and appearance but also in ethnicity and being from Ningxia. Many online users have questioned whether the two are brothers.
On social media platforms, netizens have pointed out that both the fallen official Wang Zhengru and the disgraced former Chairman of Ningxia, Wang Zhengwei, are Hui people from Tongxin County, both hold PhDs in Hui studies, and bear some physical resemblance. The age gap of over twenty years between them raises speculations of a possible fraternal relation.
Moreover, some netizens have mentioned the investigation of another Hui official, Liu Hui, the former Chairman of Ningxia, pondering the fate of Wang Zhengwei.
Wang Zhengwei was born in 1957, while Wang Zhengru was born in 1980, making the age difference between them 23 years. In 2012, “The Ningxia Folks” was published, authored by Wang Zhengru during his doctoral studies at Ningxia University, with Wang Zhengwei, then the Chairman of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, penning the foreword. The Hong Kong newspaper “Sing Tao Daily” reported that Wang Zhengru expressed gratitude in the book, acknowledging his elder brother’s support and encouragement.
Wang Zhengwei held various positions such as Vice Chairman of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and later became Acting Chairman. He also served as Deputy Secretary of the Autonomous Region Party Committee and subsequently as the Chairman of the Autonomous Region Government. In March 2013, Wang Zhengwei was appointed as Vice Chairman of the CPPCC and concurrently served as director and secretary of the Committee for Ethnic Affairs. However, in 2016, he stepped down from his positions and was relieved of his duties, becoming the shortest-serving director of the Ethnic Affairs Committee. Wang Zhengwei was re-elected as Vice Chairman of the 13th CPPCC in March 2018.
Since July 2021, Wang Zhengwei has been conspicuously absent from key Communist Party centenary events, the Sixth Plenum, and the National People’s Congress sessions. In March 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that Wang Zhengwei, then Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, was investigated, although this was not officially confirmed. He also did not appear at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October 2022.
In March 2023, at the age of 65, Wang Zhengwei stepped down as Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, officially retiring from public service.