Huang Qifan, the former mayor of Chongqing, has come under investigation by authorities. His inquiry comes nearly a decade after he left office, during a time when two prominent Chongqing party secretaries, Bo Xilai and Sun Zhengcai, were ousted amid corruption scandals.
On the night of October 13, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China announced that Huang is being subjected to a disciplinary review and supervisory investigation for serious violations of discipline and law. Specific allegations have not been disclosed, but the announcement referenced his past roles as deputy secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee and mayor, leading to speculation that the investigation may relate to his time in office.
Huang Qifan is recognized as a leading economic official in China. He moved to Chongqing in 2001 after working on the Pudong New Area development in Shanghai. In 2007, he was promoted to mayor by Bo Xilai, who was then the party secretary of Chongqing, to spearhead the Liangjiang New Area development. Huang played a key role in advancing Chongqing's economic growth through initiatives in the IT sector, international rail logistics, and the expansion of public rental housing.
His political survival has drawn attention. Despite Bo Xilai's downfall in 2012, Huang retained his position as mayor. In 2017, Sun Zhengcai, who was seen as a potential future leader, was also removed from his post due to corruption allegations. While a wave of investigations and personnel changes swept through Chongqing's bureaucratic circles, Huang appeared unaffected. Instead, after stepping down as mayor in late 2016, he expanded his influence as a financial expert, serving as deputy director of the Financial and Economic Committee of the National People's Congress.
Even after retirement, Huang has been vocal about China's economic challenges, advocating for market reforms through various forums, lectures, and media contributions. His straightforward approach to discussing real estate, finance, and industrial policy, backed by data, has contributed to his high profile. He has been regarded domestically as a clean, capable, and reform-minded economic official.
As news of Huang's investigation spreads, reactions of surprise and skepticism have emerged on Chinese-language social media. Some users have questioned why he is now being investigated after surviving the downfalls of Bo Xilai and Sun Zhengcai, while others express disappointment if he is found to have engaged in corrupt practices, contrary to his reputation as an honest official.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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