Former chairman of China National Petroleum Corporation, Wang Yilin, appeared in court for the first trial of his bribery case one year after his downfall, accused of accepting bribes totaling 35.01 million yuan.
On February 20, the first trial of Wang Yilin, former Party Secretary and Chairman of “China Petroleum”, was publicly held at the intermediate court in Ordos, Inner Mongolia.
The Ordos City Prosecutor’s Office accused Wang Yilin of taking advantage of his positions, including Director of the Exploration Development Research Institute of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration, Deputy Director of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration, General Manager of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch of China National Petroleum and Gas Corporation, Deputy General Manager of China National Petroleum and Gas Group, Chairman of China Offshore Oil Corporation, and Chairman of China National Petroleum Corporation, to provide assistance to individuals in job transfers, project contracting, and business operations. From 2006 to 2020, Wang Yilin directly or through others received a total of more than 35.01 million yuan. The prosecution requested criminal responsibility be pursued for Wang Yilin on charges of bribery.
Wang Yilin pleaded guilty in court, and the verdict is set to be announced on a later date.
In February of last year, Wang Yilin was investigated, becoming one of the “Six Tigers” in 2024; on July 31, he was expelled from the Party, had his benefits revoked, and was referred to judicial authorities.
Public records show that Wang Yilin, born in September 1956 in Tashan, Ganyu District, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, started working in 1982.
In June 1996, Wang Yilin was appointed Deputy Director of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration and Chief Geologist for Exploration. From September 1999, he served as General Manager of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch. In July 2003, he became Assistant General Manager of China National Petroleum Group, and in December, Vice General Manager. In July 2004, he also served as Director of Safety at China National Petroleum Group, and starting in November 2005, he became a Director at CNPC.
In April 2011, Wang Yilin was appointed Chairman of China Offshore Oil Corporation and China Offshore Oil Limited. In April 2015, he became Chairman of China National Petroleum Group, and from June the same year, he also served as Chairman of CNPC. He was dismissed from his position in January 2020.
In December 2020, Wang Yilin was appointed as an external director of China Three Gorges Corporation for a three-year term. In February 2024, he no longer held this director position.