China Trade Union Chief Xu Liuping Under Corruption Probe
Xu Liuping, the Party Secretary of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) and a full ministerial-level official, has been placed under disciplinary review and investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced on May 23. The investigation marks the 26th probe of a centrally-managed official in 2026, underscoring the continued intensity of China’s anti-corruption campaign.
Background and Career
Xu, 61, was born in Yangzhong, Jiangsu Province, and built a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades across China’s state-owned military-industrial and automotive sectors. He began his career in 1988 at China Ordnance Industry Corporation before rising through the ranks at China South Industries Group (CSGC), one of the country’s two major state-owned military-industrial conglomerates, where he became General Manager in 2013.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Xu held multiple senior positions including Chairman of Chang’an Automobile, where he led the company to become China’s top-selling domestic auto brand, and Chairman of China FAW Group, where he spearheaded the revitalization of the iconic Hongqi luxury car brand. In February 2023, he was appointed Party Secretary of the ACFTU, a position carrying full ministerial rank.
Investigation Details
The CCDI and the National Supervisory Commission announced the investigation on their website at 16:01 Beijing time on May 23. The standard formulation of “suspected serious violations of discipline and law” was used, which is the typical language employed by Chinese authorities for high-level corruption probes. Xu is also an alternate member of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.
As Caixin reported, Xu’s last public appearance was on March 16, 2026, when he chaired an ACFTU Party theoretical study center group meeting that included watching an anti-corruption educational warning video — a detail that underscores the irony and seriousness of the campaign.
Institutional Response
The ACFTU moved swiftly to distance itself from its former leader. On the afternoon of May 23, the ACFTU Party Committee held an emergency meeting, where attendees “unanimously expressed firm support for the Party Central Committee’s decision,” according to Guancha.cn. The meeting emphasized that the investigation “fully demonstrates the firm determination of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core to persistently advance comprehensive and strict governance of the Party.”
Broader Context and Implications
Xu’s investigation is part of an accelerating anti-corruption wave in 2026. With 26 centrally-managed officials already investigated in the first five months of the year, the pace exceeds that of previous years. His background in the military-industrial complex places him within a sector that has seen increasing scrutiny — earlier in 2026, three academicians from the military engineering sector were removed from official listings.
The probe also highlights ongoing anti-corruption efforts in China’s automotive industry. Notably, Xu’s predecessor at FAW, Xu Jianyi, was also investigated and sentenced for corruption, while Yin Jiaxu, his predecessor at Chang’an, faced a similar fate. This pattern of successive leadership investigations at major state-owned automakers suggests systemic issues within the sector.
As RFI noted, Xu’s career trajectory — from military industry to automotive leadership to a senior party position — reflects a common pattern for high-ranking Chinese officials, making his downfall particularly significant.
What’s Next
The investigation raises several unanswered questions. The specific allegations against Xu remain undisclosed, and it is unclear whether the alleged misconduct occurred during his tenure at CSGC, Chang’an, FAW, or the ACFTU. Observers will be watching to see whether the probe expands to include other officials connected to Xu and what impact this may have on FAW’s ongoing operations and partnerships with foreign automakers.
Xu’s investigation serves as a powerful reminder that China’s anti-corruption campaign, now in its second decade under President Xi Jinping, continues to reach the highest echelons of power — including those who once sat in judgment of others.