2025.02.24

Introduction: Over the past year, the leadership team of AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) has undergone intensive reshuffles, with many party group members coming from COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China).

The website of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission today released information stating that, upon approval by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission have conducted an investigation into the serious violations of discipline and law by Tan Ruisong, former Party Secretary and Chairman of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

Upon investigation, it has been found that Tan Ruisong has lost his ideals and convictions, abandoned his original mission, resisted organizational scrutiny, and engaged in superstitious activities. He has violated the central government's eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct by accepting banquets that could affect the impartial execution of official duties. He has breached organizational principles by not truthfully explaining issues during organizational inquiries and by seeking benefits for others in matters such as employee recruitment. He has improperly accepted monetary gifts, engaged in power-for-sex transactions, and exhibited moral corruption. With no regard for legal or disciplinary boundaries, he has "lived off the military industry," embezzling vast amounts of public property. He has transformed public power into a tool for personal gain, engaging in extensive power-for-money transactions, using his position to benefit others in corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, project contracting, and employee recruitment, and illegally accepting substantial amounts of money and valuables.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection stated that Tan Ruisong severely violated the Party's political discipline, organizational discipline, integrity discipline, and life discipline. His actions constituted serious duty-related violations and suspected crimes such as embezzlement and bribery. Moreover, he showed no signs of restraint or cessation after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, reflecting the grave nature of his offenses. After deliberation by the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and approval by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, it was decided to expel Tan Ruisong from the Party, revoke all benefits he was entitled to in accordance with regulations, confiscate his illicit gains, and transfer his suspected criminal issues to the procuratorial organs for legal review and prosecution, along with the involved assets.

According to a reporter from Yicai, Tan Ruisong served as the general manager of AVIC from [specific month and year] to [specific month and year], and as the chairman of AVIC from [specific month and year] to [specific month and year]. On [specific date] in [specific month and year], the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission's website disclosed that Tan Ruisong was suspected of serious violations of discipline and law and was undergoing disciplinary review and supervisory investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission. At that time, Tan Ruisong had already retired upon reaching the retirement age.

Over the past year, the leadership team of AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) has undergone intensive adjustments, with many party group members coming from COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China). In [specific month and year], Zhou Xinmin, former general manager of COMAC, was transferred to serve as chairman of AVIC. In [specific month and year], Guo Shengjie, former assistant general manager of COMAC, was appointed as deputy general manager of AVIC. A few days later, Wei Yingbiao, former deputy general manager of COMAC, was named general manager of AVIC. Joining him at AVIC was Wu Rongxin, former deputy general manager of China Southern Airlines Group, who was also transferred to serve as deputy general manager of AVIC.

It is worth noting that after the two new appointments, the resumes of Hao Zhaoping, former general manager of AVIC, and Yang Wei, former deputy general manager, were removed from the official website of AVIC. Among them, Yang Wei, now 60 years old, was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2017. He has served as deputy director, chief designer, director of the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute, deputy chief engineer of the aviation industry, deputy director of the Science and Technology Committee, and deputy general manager of AVIC. He was the chief designer of several fighter jets, including the J-20. Born in 1966, Hao Zhaoping has not yet reached retirement age. The most recent public activity of Hao Zhaoping released by AVIC was on October 31, 2023.