The former party member and deputy minister of the Communist Party of China’s Ministry of Justice, Liu Zhiqiang, has been expelled from the Party and had his benefits revoked. He faces prosecution by the judiciary for alleged crimes related to violations of duties and bribery.
Liu Zhiqiang is accused of obstructing inspection, failing to truthfully clarify issues, seeking benefits for others in cadre selection and appointment work, receiving gifts, money, and prepaid cards in violation of regulations, using authority or position to benefit others, receiving benefits for family members, abusing public power for personal gain, engaging in corruption, and unlawfully accepting large sums of money.
Liu Zhiqiang’s serious violations of duty and alleged bribery constitute grounds for expulsion from the Party and the termination of his benefits. The allegations of criminal activity have been referred to the judiciary for investigation and prosecution.
On April 30 of this year, the Communist Party announced the downfall of Liu Zhiqiang.
Public records show that the 61-year-old Liu Zhiqiang hails from Juancheng, Shandong, and has a long history of working within the public security system. From 2004 to 2012, he held positions as Deputy Director, Director, and subsequently Director of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of the CPC. In June 2012, he was transferred to Vice Governor and Director of the Public Security Department of Qinghai Province. In January 2016, he was reassigned to Beijing as a member of the CPC Ministry of Justice and Deputy Minister, until he was dismissed in June 2023.
During Liu Zhiqiang’s tenure in a key position at the Ministry of Public Security, Zhou Yongkang and Meng Jianzhu successively held leadership roles within the ministry.
Of the five ministers who served during Liu Zhiqiang’s time as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice, three have since been brought down.