Falling stars illuminate China's path to reform(2)

Even before the axe fell on Xu, FAW was vexed by its executives' scandalous behavior. In 2014, An Dewu, deputy general manager, Li Wu, deputy general manager of FAW-Volkswagen and Zhou Chun, deputy general manager of Audi sales, were investigated. None are still in their posts.

The move against Xu, overall supremo of FAW, is a signal that cleaning up the group will not be a mere polishing exercise but a tough, deep overhaul.

With FAW's "firstborn" privileges, reform here could be talismanic for that of the whole SOE sector.

A STAR IS FALLEN

The investigation of Yunnan's Qiu He, announced on Sunday, promises to be no less emblematic.

A CCDI statement said simply that Qiu He, deputy secretary of the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee, was under investigation.

Unlike Xu, Qiu is a very well-known figure, an official with a history of controversial remarks since he first emerged in east China's Jiangsu Province during the 1990s. There has always been speculation about some "secret capital" behind Qiu, but the biggest controversy surrounds his hard-line style. Regarded as something of a political "star", his indifference to the opinions of others and an overbearing manner ensured his decisions often made news. Until now the words most frequently associated with Qiu have been "steadfast", "practical" and "effective".

Qiu reportedly once issued local officials in various fields with a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum requiring them to meet a minimum quota in attracting investment.

When acting as the Party chief of Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, in an attempt to improve governance, Qiu published all senior officials' phone numbers, which led to some complaints from officials bombarded by citizens' complaints.

In another development, the CCDI announced late on Monday that Liao Yongyuan, general manager of CNPC, one of China's biggest oil companies, is also being investigated for "serious law and discipline violations".

Born in 1962, Liao became general manager of CNPC in May 2013.

REASONABLE POWER

Premier Li Keqiang told the annual legislative session last week that "it goes without saying that power should not be held without good reason."

Just two weeks ago, a list was published of 14 senior officers investigated or convicted in the military's most recent counter-corruption maneuvers.

It is clear that the fight against the corrupt and vested interest groups will continue unabated, with the country resolved to dig up the most deep-rooted of the problems that hold back reform.