Senior Xinjiang Judicial Official Snared in Corruption Probe
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A top judicial official in China’s western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is under investigation for alleged corruption, extending a pattern of graft probes targeting high-ranking officials in the region’s southern prefecture of Hotan.
Liu Chen, who until recently served as party chief of Hotan, is suspected of committing “serious violations of discipline and law,” the regional Communist Party’s disciplinary watchdog said on Monday. Liu is currently a deputy secretary of Xinjiang’s political and legal affairs commission.

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- Liu Chen, a senior judicial official in Xinjiang and former Hotan party chief, is under investigation for alleged corruption.
- He is the third consecutive Hotan party chief to be investigated, following Yang Fasen and Zhang Jinbiao.
- The probes follow an anti-graft inspection in Xinjiang, focusing on senior officials and uncovering bribery and political negligence.
- Early 2017:
- Zhang Jinbiao, former Hotan party chief, was investigated for corruption and political negligence.
- 2017:
- Liu Chen began rising through the ranks in Hotan's political structure.
- 2021:
- Liu Chen became party chief of Hotan. Yang Fasen, another predecessor, was promoted from Hotan party chief to vice party chief of Xinjiang.
- October 2024:
- Yang Fasen was placed under investigation.
- March 2025:
- Liu Chen was appointed deputy secretary of Xinjiang’s political and legal affairs commission.
- May 29, 2025:
- Liu Chen made his last public appearance by hosting a legal training seminar.
- June 2025:
- Yang Fasen was charged with taking massive bribes.
- Late September 2025:
- A two-and-a-half-month inspection of Xinjiang by the party’s top anti-graft agency was concluded.
- October 14, 2025:
- It was officially announced that Liu Chen is under investigation for serious violations of discipline and law.
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