In Depth: Investigators Find City’s Metro System Is Riddled With Graft

Cheng Dong, a businessman from Hefei, found out about a new metro station planned near his car dealership and decided to intervene by offering over 35 million yuan (about $4.8 million) in bribes to Yao Kai, the ex-vice mayor overseeing metro construction. These bribes were primarily given in dealership shares and cash to influence the construction project's outcome. Cheng's actions are part of a larger crackdown on corruption within Hefei’s urban rail transit system, resulting in the downfall of at least six senior officials since 2022, including Yao. These cases highlight systemic corruption issues in China’s public transport sector, particularly in the bidding processes for lucrative construction projects [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3][para. 4].

Amid these revelations, Anhui province launched a sweeping investigation to rectify corruption in construction project bidding. The Hefei metro construction company itself has committed to enhancing supervision and management. Hefei, the capital city of Anhui with nearly 10 million residents, has been expanding its metro system rapidly since the opening of its first line in 2016 [para. 5][para. 7]. Yao Kai, initially the general manager of Hefei Rail Transit Group Co. Ltd., oversaw this expansion. He later became Hefei’s vice mayor while maintaining strong influence over the city’s infrastructure. However, he was investigated for corruption in 2022, accused of accepting over 106 million yuan in bribes from 2001 to 2022. Yao’s verdict is still pending [para. 6][para. 8][para. 9].

Following Yao, Chen Hua, Yao’s successor at Hefei Metro, was also investigated for corruption. Chen used his influence in the transit sector to accept significant bribes, leading to his 14-year prison sentence for accepting over 31.4 million yuan in cash and assets [para. 10][para. 11]. The initial discovery of corruption in Hefei’s urban rail transit sector centered around Wu Si’er, who held key roles in Hefei Metro. Wu is accused of facilitating corrupt bidding processes, helping companies win project tenders by paying bribes, a common practice in the multi-stage construction of subway lines [para. 12][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15]. From 2013 to 2022, Wu accepted 11.7 million yuan in bribes, with transactions often funneled through his mistress, Lu Jing. Wu was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison due to his cooperation with authorities by reporting other offenders [para. 16][para. 17][para. 18].

The case involving Chen is particularly controversial, as he initially confessed to allegations during his January 2024 trial but later retracted his confession, prompting an appeal. Prosecutors accused Chen of manipulating project contracts and expediting payments in exchange for bribes. In his appeal trial in November 2024, Chen denied wrongdoing, arguing that the bribery claims were unfounded since he did not personally benefit from the projects. He suggested that the successful bids were due to the reputation of the companies rather than his influence. Despite Chen’s defense, the Anhui Provincial High People’s Court upheld his original verdict, indicating that bribery to secure bids was a common industry practice. Chen plans to file another appeal [para. 20][para. 21][para. 23][para. 25].

In addition to Yao, Chen, and Wu, at least three other officials in Hefei’s urban rail transit system have been investigated since 2022, but their verdicts have yet to be publicly disclosed [para. 26].