The former head of China's State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) first joined the Communist Party of China in 1977 and held various leadership positions till his retirement in 2018 and expulsion in April 2024. Photo credit: VOA Chinese.
Ling Chengxing, the former head of China's State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA), was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removed from his office due to serious violations of discipline and law, as announced by authorities.
The decision was made following an investigation conducted by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Commission of Supervision (NCS), with the approval of the CPC Central Committee, as stated by CCDI and NCS.
Ling previously held positions as a member of the leading Party members group of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and as the secretary of the primary Party members group of STMA.
The investigation discovered that Ling disregarded Party principles, committed actions that violated the Party's eight-point guidelines for improving Party and government conduct, abused his position to secure advantages for others, and unlawfully received substantial amounts of money and gifts, among other transgressions.
Authorities annulled the privileges he received, seized his unlawfully obtained assets, and forwarded his case along with all related possessions to the prosecutorial authorities for assessment and legal proceedings.
Ling, who originated from Jiangxi province, became a member of the Party in 1977 and started his career in 1980. He occupied various roles, including the executive vice-governor of the province. From May 2013 to his retirement in July 2018, Ling served as STMA director. He came under investigation last October.