Architect of ‘Shangri-La’ and Scion of Chieftains Is Charged in China Graft Probe
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Chinese prosecutors have charged the former chairman of the Xizang Autonomous Region with bribery, marking the latest downfall of a high-ranking official as Beijing’s anticorruption campaign continues to sweep through the country’s ethnically diverse border regions.
Qi Zhala, who also served in senior national advisory roles, is accused of accepting an “exceptionally huge” amount of illicit assets over a period that could span up to 26 years, according to an announcement from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Dec. 10. The case was handed over for prosecution more than five months after he was placed under investigation.
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- Former Xizang chairman Qi Zhala was charged with bribery, accused of receiving illicit assets over 26 years, and is the 55th central official charged in 2025.
- Qi, an ethnic Xizangan and key figure behind "Shangri-La" branding, allegedly abused power from 1997 to 2025, benefiting relatives and business owners.
- His case is part of an ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has implicated numerous officials in Yunnan and Xizang since 2022.
- By 1950s：
- The tusi (hereditary chieftain) system, including Qi Zhala's family role, was abolished.
- During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)：
- Qi Zhala's father, an early Communist Party member, was persecuted to death.
- 1982：
- Qi Zhala joined the Communist Party.
- 1997：
- Qi Zhala became a county party boss, beginning the period covered by bribery charges.
- Late 1990s：
- Qi Zhala, as party secretary of Zhongdian County, spearheaded the campaign to rename the area Shangri-La.
- 2010：
- Qi Zhala was transferred to Xizang, becoming party chief of Lhasa.
- 2017：
- Qi Zhala was appointed chairman of the Xizang Autonomous Region.
- 2021：
- Qi Zhala and Wu Yingjie retired from regional posts and moved to Beijing to take up senior roles in the national legislature.
- Since late 2022：
- At least nine high-ranking officials from Diqing, Qi's home prefecture, have been investigated following the 20th Party Congress.
- June 2024：
- Wu Yingjie, Qi Zhala's former boss, was placed under investigation.
- January 2025：
- Qi Zhala was officially placed under investigation, two days after making a public appearance at a political meeting in Yunnan.
- May 2025：
- Che Zhimin, a key figure in the 'Shangri-La' campaign, was placed under investigation.
- July 2025：
- A disciplinary report accused Qi Zhala of multiple corrupt practices.
- As of December 10, 2025：
- Chinese prosecutors announced Qi Zhala had been charged with bribery after more than five months under investigation.
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