Former SASAC Official Pan Liang Expelled from CPC for Graft

China has expelled Pan Liang, a former deputy-ministerial level official at the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), from the Communist Party following a six-month investigation that revealed extensive corruption, bribery, and continued illicit activity after retirement, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced on June 8.

Pan Liang, 69, was placed under investigation in December 2025 as the 59th high-ranking “tiger” to fall in China’s anti-corruption campaign that year. His case was processed alongside that of Chen Weijun, a former Standing Committee member of the Xinjiang Party Committee, signaling the sustained intensity of the campaign as it enters its second decade.

Career and Oversight Role

Born in September 1956 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, Pan Liang began his career in 1975 and served in the Ministry of Aerospace Industry and the General Office of the State Council before his promotion in May 2010 to Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors for State-owned Key Large Enterprises, a deputy-ministerial level position, according to China Daily.

In this capacity, Pan oversaw the supervision of some of China’s largest state-owned enterprises, including China South Industries Group, COMAC (the commercial aircraft manufacturer), China Railway Engineering Group, and China Reform Holdings Corporation. Following institutional restructuring in November 2018, he transitioned to a deputy-ministerial role at SASAC.

Charges and Findings

The CCDI investigation revealed a broad pattern of misconduct. According to the official announcement, Pan Liang was found to have lost his ideals and convictions, resisted organizational investigation, engaged in superstitious activities, and violated the Eight-Point Regulation by accepting banquets, entertainment, and gifts. He also violated organizational principles by seeking benefits for others in cadre transfers.

More seriously, the investigation found that Pan failed to maintain integrity, illegally holding shares in non-listed companies, using his position to benefit relatives, and engaging in “money-sex trading.” He improperly intervened in market economic activities and, according to the CCDI, “had no regard for discipline or law, transforming his authority and positional influence into tools for personal gain, amassing wealth on a large scale.”

A particularly notable finding was that Pan continued illegal activities after retirement, a pattern described as “退而不休” (retired but not resting). This reflects a broader trend in China’s anti-corruption campaign where retired officials are being held accountable for post-retirement misconduct, signaling that retirement does not provide immunity from prosecution.

Legal Consequences

The CCDI determined that Pan Liang had committed serious violations of political, organizational, integrity, work, and living discipline, constituting severe duty-related crimes including bribery and influence-peddling bribery. The disciplinary action, reported by The Paper, includes expulsion from the Communist Party, revocation of retirement benefits, confiscation of illegal gains, and transfer of his case to procuratorial authorities for criminal prosecution.

Broader Anti-Corruption Context

Pan Liang’s case is part of a broader pattern of anti-corruption enforcement within China’s state-owned enterprise sector. SASAC, a ministerial-level body directly under the State Council, manages hundreds of central SOEs with trillions of dollars in assets, making it a focal point of anti-corruption efforts.

Several of Pan’s former colleagues at SASAC have also faced investigation, including former SASAC heads Jiang Jiemin (sentenced to 16 years in 2015), Xiao Yaqing, Luo Yulin, and Li Wei. By June 8, 2026, 28 senior officials had been disciplined and transferred for prosecution in 2026 alone, according to reports from Caixin.

Analysis and Implications

The case highlights systemic vulnerabilities within China’s state asset management system. SASAC’s dual role as both owner and regulator of state assets creates inherent conflicts of interest and opportunities for rent-seeking. Pan Liang’s position overseeing major SOEs through the Board of Supervisors gave him significant leverage over corporate decisions involving business operations, equity acquisitions, and project contracting.

The simultaneous announcement of multiple high-profile cases demonstrates that China’s anti-corruption campaign shows no signs of slowing as it enters its second decade. The emphasis on post-retirement accountability expands the temporal scope of enforcement, ensuring that former officials remain subject to scrutiny long after leaving office.

What’s Next

Pan Liang’s case has been transferred to prosecutors, though specific details about the amounts involved and potential sentence have not been disclosed. Questions remain about which companies or individuals were involved in the bribery schemes and whether further investigations into other SASAC officials or SOE executives connected to Pan Liang will follow. A public trial would provide further insight into the scale of corruption within one of China’s most powerful economic regulatory bodies.