In breaking news from Epoch Times on August 10, 2025, Sun Xiuwei, the former Party Secretary of Qihe County, Dezhou City, Shandong Province, was removed from his position after serving a four-year term. The night the news broke, fireworks lit up the sky in Qihe County in a widespread celebration. It was revealed by insiders that a female subordinate who had a “special relationship” with Sun Xiuwei was also taken away for investigation.
Official reports on August 8 stated that Sun Xiuwei was under investigation for violating laws and discipline in Qihe County.
Information shows that Sun Xiuwei, a native of Laizhou, Shandong Province, commenced his career in July 1992 and joined the Communist Party of China in June 1996. Sun Xiuwei spent the majority of his career in Weifang City.
In 1999, Sun Xiuwei was transferred to Changle County, where he served as the Party Secretary of Changle Town and was later promoted to the County Party Secretary.
Starting in 2004, Sun Xiuwei held positions as the mayor and party secretary in three townships and streets, and also served as the director of the Changle Economic Development Zone.
In April 2013, Sun Xiuwei left Changle and became the Deputy District Head of Weicheng District in Weifang City. After a year in this position, he was transferred to become the Deputy District Head of Hanting District.
In 2016, he was relocated across counties to Shouguang, known as the “Town of Vegetables,” to serve as the Party Secretary of the city. In February 2019, Sun Xiuwei returned to Weicheng District, this time as the District Head.
After 28 years in the Weifang political arena, Sun Xiuwei was exchanged to Dezhou City in late 2020 and assumed the role of Party Secretary of Qihe County.
Reports from WeChat public account “Meipai” indicated that media observers had pointed out that there were early signs indicating Sun Xiuwei’s downfall. Starting in mid-July, Sun Xiuwei began to fade from Qihe news. He, who used to appear almost daily in local news, suddenly vanished from sight, with no information even on the local government website. This abnormal disappearance of the county’s top official raised suspicions.
In fact, just days before the official announcement of Sun Xiuwei’s removal, rumors of his investigation had already spread locally.
Subsequently, netizens commented on “Meipai,” saying that people in Qihe had been setting off firecrackers to celebrate Sun Xiuwei’s downfall.
Multiple sources confirmed that on the night when Sun Xiuwei’s removal was announced, despite it not being a significant holiday, the sound of fireworks and firecrackers echoed continuously throughout the streets of Qihe County.
Local residents affirmed that the fireworks display across Qihe was a spontaneous celebration of Sun Xiuwei’s demise.
On social media platforms, numerous users with IP addresses from Shandong or Dezhou posted videos or short comments celebrating the news.
The public believed that Sun Xiuwei had long been a target of discontent in Qihe County yet managed to hold onto power, likely due to powerful backing. Some locals even wrote satirical poems on social media to comment on Sun Xiuwei’s downfall.
It was rumored that during Sun Xiuwei’s leadership in Qihe County, he issued a directive to paint all street lamp poles in the city pitch-black. This wasteful and senseless action caused widespread dissatisfaction among the local populace.
Locals sarcastically remarked on social media about how absurd it was to paint all of Qihe’s lamp posts and traffic structures black, a move deemed unique across the country.
Notably, following Sun Xiuwei’s removal, it was revealed that several female subordinates who had a “special relationship” with him were also taken in for investigation. One of them was specifically pointed out as Song, a bureau chief in Qihe County.
Information revealed that Song is 37 years old.
There were rumors circulating that after Sun Xiuwei assumed his position in Qihe, he had a romantic relationship with Song, eventually making her his third wife. However, for unknown reasons, the two later divorced.
After Sun Xiuwei’s downfall, it was reported that Song was also being investigated.
There were also reports claiming that Sun Xiuwei had more than one lover in the area, most of whom worked in government offices. However, these rumors have yet to be substantiated.