China launches corruption probe, targets top energy and nuclear officials

Two high-ranking officials from major state-run companies are under investigation for serious legal violations in China. Wang Yilin, the former chairperson of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), and Li Guangchang, a senior adviser to China National Nuclear Corp.'s science and technology committee, have been implicated in separate probes.

Wang Yilin, who led one of China's largest oil companies called CNPC from 2015 to 2018, is suspected of "serious violations of discipline and the law," a phrase commonly associated with corruption. This statement was released by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China's top anti-graft agency. The news follows the arrest of another CNPC executive, Xu Wenrong, for suspected bribery.

Similarly, Li Guangchang is under investigation for grave legal and disciplinary violations. His role as a key figure in China's sole nuclear fuel supplier highlights the probe's significance. These investigations are part of a broader purge that has recently targeted various sectors, including China's defense establishment.

This crackdown is part of President Xi Jinping's campaign against official corruption, which has gained momentum since he came to power. While proponents argue that the campaign promotes clean governance, critics see it as a means for Xi to eliminate political rivals. CNPC's ranking as the fifth-largest corporation globally by revenue in last year's Fortune Global 500 list demonstrates the scale and impact of these investigations.

China's anti-corruption drive has not only focused on high-profile business figures but also extended its reach to modern surveillance technologies. The Chinese Communist Party's use of advanced technologies for surveillance purposes has raised concerns internationally, though experts argue that the CCP's power stems more from organizational sophistication than technological prowess.

Source: Newsroom