China's Anti-Graft Agency Investigates Senior Officials for Legal Violations

Key Takeaway

• China's anti-graft agency is investigating Xu Ying, deputy head of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, for serious legal violations.
• Separately, Wu Huatai, former chairman of Shanxi Coking Energy Group Co., is under scrutiny for severe legal violations.
• These probes highlight China's intensified efforts to combat corruption within major state-owned enterprises.

Senior Official Under Investigation

China's anti-graft agency has launched an investigation into Xu Ying, a deputy head of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, for "serious violations" of the law. This development was reported by China’s Central Television, although specific details regarding the nature of the violations were not disclosed. Xu Ying's case marks the latest in a series of probes targeting senior government officials for alleged misconduct. The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration is a significant entity in China, overseeing the production and distribution of tobacco products, which are a major source of revenue for the government.

Separate Probe in Shanxi Province

In a related but separate investigation, the local government in Shanxi province announced that Wu Huatai, a former chairman of Shanxi Coking Energy Group Co., is also under scrutiny for "severe violation of law." The statement was posted on the provincial government's website on Saturday. Shanxi Coking Energy Group Co. is a key player in the energy sector, particularly in the production of coking coal, which is essential for steel manufacturing. The specifics of Wu Huatai's alleged violations have not been made public, but the investigation underscores the ongoing efforts by Chinese authorities to clamp down on corruption within major state-owned enterprises.