China Strips Aerospace Executives of Political Titles Amid Anti-Corruption Drive
-
Three senior Chinese aerospace and defense executives were stripped of political titles amid a crackdown on corruption. The officials are from major companies like China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
-
The officials - Wu Yansheng, Liu Shiquan, and Wang Changqing - had recently been active and gave no indication of falling out of favor.
-
The move comes amid Beijing's ongoing anti-corruption drive targeting the crucial defense industry. This week a former aircraft carrier program head was sentenced to 13 years for bribery.
-
In 2021, graft fighters placed another Norinco boss under investigation, showing the focus on defense industry corruption.
-
Several top Politburo members are former aerospace and defense industry executives, including space and missile experts. This is a key sector for China's military modernization efforts.