The former party chief for the city of Hangzhou has been expelled one week after a state media documentary made claims about his corrupt business links with a firm controlled by Jack Ma’s Ant Group.
Zhou Jiangyong has been expelled from China’s Communist Party, according to a statement from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), after an anti-graft probe was launched in August last year against the former party secretary of Hangzhou – an eastern Chinese tech hub and home to the headquarters of Jack Ma’s Ant Group and parent company Alibaba.
Zhou, 54, is being accused of disloyalty to the party and supporting the «disorderly expansion» of capital, the CCDI said.
Zhou’s expulsion also follows the broadcast of a state media documentary a week ago that detailed his use of influence to help the business of his younger brother Zhou Jianyong which involved investments from a firm controlled by Ant Group.
«Disorderly Expansion»
The state media broadcast and subsequent expulsion of Zhou follows Beijing’s recent announcement to crack down on «disorderly expansion of capital and platform monopolies», in a sign that China’s tech sector could face continued pressure.
«Efforts will be made to investigate and punish corrupt behaviors behind the disorderly expansion of capital and platform monopolies, and cut off the link between power and capital,» the CCDI said in the statement after its plenary session last week.
«Show no mercy to those who engage in political gangs, small circles, and interest groups within the party, and strictly educate, manage and supervise young cadres.»
