The former deputy ministerial-level official of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Pan Liang, is under investigation. With Pan Liang’s case, the number of central and provincial officials who have been investigated and removed from office this year has increased to 59, which exceeds the number from last year.
According to a statement released on December 12th by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection website, Pan Liang is suspected of serious violations of discipline and laws, and is currently undergoing disciplinary review and supervision investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
At 69 years old, Pan Liang has served in various positions including the Labor Personnel Division of the Ministry of Aerospace, the office of the State Council, Vice Director, Director, Deputy Director, and Director of the Secretariat Division II of the Office of the State Council. In May 2010, Pan Liang was appointed as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Key State-Owned Large Enterprises (deputy ministerial level). In 2018, he was transferred to the position of Deputy Ministerial-level official of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.
During his tenure at the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, Pan Liang was responsible for supervising the Supervisory Boards of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, China Railway Engineering Corporation, and China National New Material Group Corporation.
With Pan Liang’s downfall, a total of 59 central and provincial officials have been publicly announced for investigation on the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection website this year.
Prior to this, Xiao Yaqing and Luo Yulin, who had worked with Pan Liang, were also under investigation.
In November 2015, Luo Yulin, who was then the Standing Committee Member of the Qinghai Provincial Party Committee and Deputy Governor, came to Beijing to serve as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Key State-Owned Large Enterprises. In 2018, as part of the reform of the institutions of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, the responsibilities of the Supervisory Board of Key State-Owned Large Enterprises were transferred to the National Audit Office, and Luo Yulin remained at the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, serving as the head of the Party’s Inspection Group. On May 17, 2023, Luo Yulin was officially placed under investigation. On July 14, 2025, he was sentenced to death with reprieve and life imprisonment for accepting bribes exceeding 220 million yuan.
In January 2016, Xiao Yaqing, who was then the Deputy Secretary General of the State Council, was appointed as the Director of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. In May 2019, he was transferred to the position of Director of the State Administration for Market Regulation, and in August 2020, he became the Minister of Industry and Information Technology. On July 28, 2022, Xiao Yaqing was officially placed under investigation. On December 19, 2022, at the age of 63, Xiao Yaqing was demoted to a Level 1 Deputy Director, to handle retirement procedures.