Zhou Xi'an

After university in June 1988, Zhou was assigned to the Development Strategy Research Center of the Ministry of Light Industry.^[3]

Starting in July 1992, Zhou served in several posts in the Office of Policy Research (later was reshuffled as the Policies and Regulations Department) of the State Planning Commission (now National Development and Reform Commission), including deputy director of Development Policy Division, deputy director of the International Economic Research Division, director of the Comprehensive Division, and deputy director of the Research Division.^[3]

Zhou was leader of the Comprehensive Group of the National Energy Leading Group Office in June 2006 and subsequently director of the Comprehensive Department of the National Energy Administration in August 2008.^[3]

In November 2010, Zhou was transferred to southwest China's Sichuan province and appointed acting mayor and deputy party secretary of Bazhong. He was installed as mayor in February 2011.^[3] He was party secretary of Ziyang, the top political position in the city in November 2014, in addition to serving as chairperson of the Municipal People's Congress.^[3]

Zhou was elevated to vice governor of Anhui in January 2018, a post he kept until January 2023, when he was chosen as vice chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.^[4]

On 6 February 2025, Zhou was put under investigation for alleged "serious violations of discipline and laws" by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the party's internal disciplinary body, and the National Supervisory Commission, the highest anti-corruption agency of China.^[5] On July 30, he was stripped of his posts within the CCP and in the public office.^[6] On November 18, he was indicted on suspicion of accepting bribes.^[7]