Exclusive: Two Heads of Bank of China’s Overseas Arms Unreachable

Two Bank of China Ltd. (BOC) overseas presidents, Jia Tianbing of the Macao branch and Jiang Xu of the Peru subsidiary, have recently become unreachable, with Jia reportedly detained by Chinese anti-corruption authorities, according to sources familiar with the situation. Their disappearances are believed to be linked to China’s ongoing, extensive crackdown on corruption within the financial sector, an effort that has already impacted senior officials at major state-owned banks, including BOC and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. (ICBC). Caixin has sought contact with both Jia and Jiang, but has been unsuccessful in reaching them by phone or WeChat[para. 1][para. 2][para. 3][para. 4].

Jia Tianbing, who was president of BOC’s Macao branch for approximately a year, was reportedly detained after returning to Beijing from Macao; some of his relatives were also taken into custody. His case follows the downfall of Jiang Yisheng, a former ICBC Macao branch chairman, whose detention had ties to a local real estate project involving disgraced billionaire David Ng Lap Seng. While there is no confirmed connection between Jia's and Jiang Yisheng’s cases, some sources suggest Jia’s investigation may be related to his former work at multiple BOC provincial branches on the Chinese mainland, including his presidency at the Guizhou provincial branch between 2012 and 2015, where he overlapped with previous vice presidents also under corruption probes[para. 5][para. 6][para. 7][para. 8][para. 9].

Jia, in his late 50s, has spent much of his career at BOC and is known for his interest in government-related business and for cultivating relationships with local officials, often joining them on trips and frequently traveling abroad himself. Opinions about Jia among coworkers vary, with descriptions ranging from modest and cultured to flamboyant and uninhibited; rumors about his personal life have circulated within the organization. Jia long sought an overseas post but was previously hindered by limited English skills, finally attaining the Macao position in 2024—a highly sought-after role due to its pay and elite social opportunities. The BOC Macao branch is notably one of two official banknote issuers in the region, reflecting BOC's prominent status in Macao[para. 10][para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15][para. 16][para. 17][para. 18].

The situation regarding Jiang Xu, president of the Peru subsidiary, is less clear. Caixin has been unable to substantiate rumors that he was detained by anti-corruption authorities, and little public information is available. Jiang, in his early 50s, has extensive experience in international settlement and trade financing, acquired through roles at BOC’s Beijing headquarters and overseas postings, including Milan. He took over the Peru post earlier in 2024 and is regarded within the industry as a specialist in factoring, having also worked with Factors Chain International, a prominent receivables finance association. The circumstances of his disappearance remain unconfirmed[para. 19][para. 20][para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24][para. 25][para. 26].

Both cases reflect increasing scrutiny on senior officials within China’s state-owned banks and highlight the stakes involved as anti-corruption efforts reach across international borders[para. 3][para. 6][para. 19].