After a new development in the investigation of Chen Liyun, a first-level actress in China, she was recently arrested on charges of corruption and bribery.
The Ningxia Prosecutor’s Office announced on May 21 that the investigation into Chen Liyun, former party committee member and deputy general manager of Ningxia Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd., as well as former party branch secretary and manager of Ningxia Performing Arts Group Song and Dance Theater Co., Ltd. (at the same rank as a department director), on suspicion of corruption and bribery has concluded and has been transferred to the prosecution for review and prosecution. Recently, the Da Wukou District Prosecutor’s Office in Shizuishan City decided to arrest the suspect Chen Liyun on charges of corruption and bribery.
On December 6, 2024, Chen Liyun was investigated.
Public records show that Chen Liyun was born in May 1968 in Yinchuan, Ningxia. She is a first-level actress who has held positions such as vice chairman of the Ningxia Dancers Association, party branch secretary, and director of Ningxia Performing Arts Group Song and Dance Theater.
Chen Liyun has received awards such as the Gold Award at the 14th “Spring of April” International Friendship Art Festival, the third prize in trio dance performance at the 10th “Peacock Award” Ethnic Minority Dance Competition, and the Outstanding Actor Award at the 2nd National Ethnic Minority Literature and Art Festival.
Prior to Chen Liyun’s investigation, her superior, Fan Jinguo, former party secretary and general manager of Ningxia Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd., as well as former member of the party group of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Cultural Department and former vice chairman of the Autonomous Region Writers Association, was also investigated. Fan Jinguo has also held positions such as member of the party group of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Cultural Department and vice chairman of the Autonomous Region Writers Association.
On May 13, the Shizuishan City Prosecutor’s Office decided to arrest Fan Jinguo on charges of corruption and bribery.
Established in 2011, Ningxia Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd. is a state-owned sole proprietorship company with multiple subsidiaries, including Ningxia Performing Arts Group Song and Dance Theater Co., Ltd., Qinqiang Theater Co., Ltd., Peking Opera Theater Co., Ltd., Drama Theater Co., Ltd., Acrobatic Troupe Co., Ltd., and Ningxia Performing Arts Group Theater Management Co., Ltd.
In the recent years, there have been other first-level national actors who were also under investigation.
On May 26, 2022, Chen Zhaoshun, party branch secretary and director of the Huangmei Opera (a local opera) Research Institute in Anqing City, Anhui Province, was investigated. Chen Zhaoshun, a former member of the Anqing Huangmei Opera Troupe, had been in the industry for over forty years. He was a first-level national actor of the Communist Party of China, a member of the China Dramatists Association, and vice chairman of the Anhui Dramatists Association.
In August 2023, Su Xiaolin, former counselor to the Gansu Provincial Government of the Communist Party of China, was investigated. His other identity was a tenor singer and first-level national actor.
The official announcement of charges was unusual, pointing to Su Xiaolin’s involvement in gang formation and personal influence cultivation.