Chen Shaoyong

Chen Shaoyong obtained his degree in history from the Department of History at Fujian Normal University. He commenced his university studies in September 1974 and, from August 1977, had several roles, including educator, deputy director of the Political Office, and Deputy Secretary of the Communist Youth League Committee at Longhai No. 1 High School. He subsequently held positions as a cadre in the Youth League of the Longxi Prefectural Committee, deputy director of the School Department, and eventually served as both Deputy Secretary and Secretary of the same committee. He ultimately ascended to the positions of Deputy Secretary and subsequently Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League.^[1]

In November 1992, Chen was designated Deputy Party Secretary of the Putian Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and in June 1994, he further assumed the role of Chairman of the Municipal CPPCC. From September 1995 to July 1997, he undertook an in-service master's degree in world economics at the Department of Economics at Xiamen University, earning a Master of Economics degree in July 1997. Beginning in August 1998, he held the position of acting mayor and subsequently mayor of Putian, while also maintaining his leadership of the CPPCC. In December 1999, he maintained his positions as Deputy Party Secretary and Mayor of Putian.^[2][3]

In May 2002, Chen assumed the position of party secretary in Ningde. In May 2005, he ascended to the position of Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary-General of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. He was elected a full member of the Standing Committee during the inaugural plenary session of the 8th Provincial Party Congress in November 2006. In June 2008, he was appointed Secretary of the Working Committee for Provincial Government Organs.^[4]

In July 2008, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CCP initiated an investigation into Chen Shaoyong for significant breaches of Party discipline and state law. The inquiry disclosed that Chen exploited his authority to obtain advantages for others in return for significant sums of money and gifts; he also received considerable bribes and led a crooked lifestyle. In January 2009, after the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party's approval, the CCDI expelled Chen from the Party, removed him from public position, confiscated his unlawful assets, and sent his alleged criminal activities to judicial authorities for prosecution.^[5][6]

The Nanjing Intermediate People’s Court determined that from November 1992 to May 2008, Chen exploited his roles—including Party Secretary of Ningde and subsequently Member and Secretary-General of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party—to advantage 11 companies, including Fujian Senkun Investment Group, and 15 individuals, such as Xue Shiping, in matters related to business operations and promotions.^[7][8] In exchange, he requested and received bribes amounting to almost 8.19 million RMB. Subsequent to the revelation of the case, Chen relinquished all illicit profits. Considering the significant bribes, the gravity of the offenses, his voluntary admission of unreported crimes during the investigation, and complete restitution of illicit assets, the court imposed a life sentence, accompanied by a permanent loss of political rights and the confiscation of all personal property.^[9][10][11]