Zhao Zhengyong

Zhao Zhengyong (Chinese: 赵正永; pinyin: Zhào Zhēngyǒng; born March 1951) is a former politician of the People's Republic of China who served as Communist Party Secretary, Governor, and Congress Chairman of Shaanxi Province. After his retirement, he was placed under investigation for corruption.

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Zhao.

Zhao Zhengyong
赵正永
Communist Party Secretary of Shaanxi
In office December 2012 – March 2016
Preceded by	Zhao Leji
Succeeded by	Lou Qinjian
Governor of Shaanxi
In office June 2010 – December 2012
Preceded by	Yuan Chunqing
Succeeded by	Lou Qinjian
Personal details
Born	March 1951 (age 69) Ma'anshan, Anhui
Political party	Communist Party of China (expelled; 1973-2020)
Alma mater	Central South University

Zhao Zhengyong
Simplified Chinese	赵正永
Traditional Chinese	趙正永
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhào Zhēngyǒng

Career

Zhao Zhengyong was born in Ma'anshan, Anhui Province in March 1951, and joined the Communist Party of China in November 1973. He is a graduate of Central South Mining and Metallurgy Institute (now part of Central South University). He worked at the Maanshan Iron and Steel Company before becoming chief of the Communist Youth League and then deputy Communist Party Chief of his native Ma'anshan in Anhui province. He then became the party chief of Huangshan City and later the public security chief of Anhui.[1][2]

In June 2001, Zhao was transferred to the provincial government of Shaanxi, becoming a vice governor in January 2005. In June 2010 he was appointed the acting governor of Shaanxi, and confirmed as Governor by the Shaanxi Provincial Congress in January 2011. In December 2012 he was promoted to Communist Party Chief of Shaanxi province, replacing Zhao Leji, and Lou Qinjian was appointed Governor in his place.[3][4][1][2] On 27 March 2016, Zhao Zhengyong stepped down from as Party Chief and was again succeeded by Lou Qinjian. Zhao was named a deputy chair of the National People's Congress Internal and Judicial Affairs Committee.[5][6]

Zhao was a member of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.[1][2]

Investigation

On January 15, 2019, it was announced that Zhao was under investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Communist Party's internal disciplinary body, and the National Supervisory Commission, China's highest anti-corruption agency, for "serious violations of regulations and laws".[7][8][9] He was expelled from the Communist Party on January 4, 2020.[10]

On July 31, 2020, he was sentenced to the death penalty with reprieve by the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin after he was found to have accepted more than 717 million yuan ($102.4 million) in bribes. The court said that "Zhao was given a two-year reprieve for his death penalty and deprived of political rights for life, with his personal property confiscated. After he finishes the two-year probation, his death penalty will be reduced to life imprisonment without commutation or parole."[11]

References

1. 赵正永简历 [Biography of Zhao Zhengyong] (in Chinese). Xinhua News Agency. 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
2. 赵正永简历 [Biography of Zhao Zhengyong] (in Chinese). People's Daily. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
3. Christian Shepherd (16 January 2019). "China anti-corruption hunt catches 'tiger' official". reuters. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
4. Xiao Hui; Luo Guoping; Han Wei (27 May 2019). "In Depth: The Rise and Fall of 'Two-Faced' Zhao Zhengyong". caixinglobal. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
5. Cui Xiankang; Han Wei (16 January 2019). "Former Shaanxi Chief Under Graft Investigation". caixinglobal. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
6. 陕西省委主要负责同志职务调整. Sina (in Chinese). 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
7. xinhuanet (15 January 2019). "Former Shaanxi Party chief under investigation". chinadaily. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
8. 陕西省委原书记赵正永涉嫌严重违纪违法 接受中央纪委国家监委纪律审查和监察调查. Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2019-01-15.
9. William Zheng; Nectar Gan (16 January 2019). "China corruption watchdog's big catch Zhao Zhengyong linked to string of scandals". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
10. "全国人大原内务司法委员会副主任委员、陕西省委原书记赵正永严重违纪违法被开除党籍". Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. 2020-01-04. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
11. "Former Shaanxi Party chief sentenced to death with reprieve for taking more than $102.4m in bribes". globaltimes.com. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.

Party political offices
Preceded by Zhao Leji	Communist Party Secretary of Shaanxi 2012–2016	Succeeded by Lou Qinjian
Political offices
Preceded by Yuan Chunqing	Governor of Shaanxi 2010–2012	Succeeded by Lou Qinjian