Beijing: China’s minister of emergency management, Wang Xiangxi, has come under investigation for suspected “serious violations of discipline and law,” in a move reflecting Beijing’s ongoing high-level anti-corruption campaign. The probe was announced on Saturday by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the country’s top Communist Party watchdog, though officials did not disclose details of the alleged misconduct.
The investigation is notable because sitting ministers are rarely subjected to formal scrutiny, highlighting the breadth of President Xi Jinping’s anti-graft initiative. Wang, 63, assumed office in July 2022 after serving as chairman of the state-owned power generator, National Energy Investment Corp. His ministry is responsible for coordinating disaster response, workplace safety, and public emergency management across China.
According to official sources, Wang recently appeared at an internal Ministry of Emergency Management meeting, where cadres engage in self-criticism a customary practice in China’s bureaucratic system. Analysts say that such investigations often precede disciplinary action or legal proceedings and are part of a broader effort to maintain party discipline and governmental accountability.
Wang’s case follows closely on other high-profile probes, including the ongoing investigation of General Zhang Youxia, the nation’s second-ranking military official. Last year, a record 65 senior officials were investigated, reflecting Xi’s emphasis that anti-corruption is a battle China “must not lose.” The campaign has also extended to former leaders of universities and state-owned enterprises, signaling a relentless drive to target corruption at multiple levels of governance.
The CCDI’s announcement also coincided with news that Sun Shaocheng, former Party secretary of Inner Mongolia, is under investigation, illustrating the continuing sweep across provincial and ministerial ranks. The Ministry of Emergency Management has yet to comment on Wang’s investigation, leaving speculation about potential outcomes.
Observers note that Wang’s career in state-owned enterprises and energy sectors a traditionally sensitive and high-stakes area may have contributed to the watchdog’s scrutiny, while emphasizing that the move aligns with Xi’s ongoing consolidation of party discipline and systemic oversight.