New Probe Into Former Hubei Leader Brought Down by Covid Pandemic
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Jiang Chaoliang
A sudden announcement from China’s top anti-corruption watchdog has reignited public interest in Jiang Chaoliang, a former provincial leader whose political downfall began during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Feb. 21, China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced that Jiang, 67, was under investigation for serious disciplinary and legal violations. A member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress and deputy director of its Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Jiang is the most senior official under scrutiny in recent months.
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- Jiang Chaoliang, a former Hubei Party Secretary, is under investigation for serious disciplinary and legal violations by China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
- His political downfall began in early 2020 due to criticisms over his handling of the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, leading to his replacement as Party Secretary.
- Jiang's connections are under scrutiny in various high-profile corruption cases, including a potential link to the Wuhan Kingold fake gold scandal, though he has not been directly implicated.
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Who’s Who
- Agricultural Bank of China
- The Agricultural Bank of China is a major state-owned bank where Jiang Chaoliang served as chairman in 2011. Under his leadership, the bank focused on expanding rural financial services and strengthening small business lending.
- People's Bank of China
- The People's Bank of China is China's central bank responsible for monetary policy and financial stability. Jiang Chaoliang's career included leadership roles in its Shenzhen and Guangzhou branches, overseeing central banking operations across Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces.
- Bank of Communications
- The Bank of Communications, under Jiang Chaoliang's chairmanship starting in 2004, underwent restructuring and an international listing. It is a major state-owned bank in China. Jiang's leadership at the bank marked a period of significant transition and adaptation to global financial markets.
- China Development Bank
- China Development Bank is a major policy bank in China, where Jiang Chaoliang served as president starting in 2008. The bank focuses on providing financial services for national infrastructure projects, supporting development policies, and promoting economic growth, including rural financial services and strengthening small business lending.
- Citic Trust
- Citic Trust is linked to the investigation concerning Jiang Chaoliang, as his son-in-law, Shen Junyu, a senior manager there, has reportedly been questioned. Known for his low-key demeanor and expertise in investment banking, Shen has not been seen at work recently, according to those close to the organization.
- Huarong Investment Stock Corp
- Huarong Investment Stock Corp. is a financial firm linked to a corruption scandal involving its former chairman, Qin Ling, who reportedly secured his position through Jiang Chaoliang's recommendation. The scandal is associated with the broader financial corruption case involving former Huarong boss Lai Xiaomin. Jiang Chaoliang’s connections to the company are part of the allegations being investigated by China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
- Wuhan Kingold
- The Wuhan Kingold fake gold scandal involved a gold processing firm using counterfeit gold bars to secure over 100 billion yuan ($14 billion) in loans from multiple financial institutions. This massive financial fraud shocked China's financial sector, leading to the conviction and life imprisonment of Kingold's chairman, Jia Zhihong, in 2024. While Jiang Chaoliang was not directly implicated, his leadership in Hubei during the scandal fueled speculation about his involvement.
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What Happened When
- By 1997：
- Jiang Chaoliang was leading the central bank's Shenzhen branch and later became the first head of its Guangzhou branch.
- 2002：
- Jiang moved into government as vice governor of Hubei.
- 2004：
- Jiang returned to banking as chairman of the Bank of Communications.
- By 2008：
- Jiang was appointed president of China Development Bank.
- 2011：
- Jiang took over as chairman of the Agricultural Bank of China.
- 2014：
- Jiang returned to politics as governor of Jilin province.
- 2016：
- Jiang was transferred to Hubei as Party Secretary.
- January 30, 2020：
- Jiang made his first public appearance about the Covid-19 crisis.
- February 13, 2020：
- Jiang was replaced by Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong as Party Secretary of Hubei.
- 2021：
- Jiang was reassigned to the National People's Congress.
- 2024：
- Jia Zhihong was sentenced to life in prison for the Wuhan Kingold fake gold scandal.
- February 21, 2025：
- The CCDI announced Jiang was under investigation for serious disciplinary and legal violations.
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