Rizhao Political-Legal Chief Wang Feng Under Investigation

Wang Feng, Deputy Secretary of the Rizhao City Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee in Shandong Province, is under disciplinary review and investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law, according to an announcement from the Shandong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection on August 6. The Xinhua News report, sourced from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) website, confirms that Wang is currently undergoing disciplinary review and supervisory investigation by the provincial commission.

Context: A Coordinated Anti-Corruption Push in Rizhao

Wang Feng’s case is the third major investigation of a senior Rizhao official within the past four months, signaling a coordinated anti-corruption effort targeting the city government. In April 2026, Geng Xuewei, former Rizhao City Standing Committee member and Political-Legal Committee Secretary, was announced to be under investigation for suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations. Coverage of Geng’s case, shared on Douyin, detailed his career history, including his previous service as Lanshan District Party Secretary before his promotion to the Rizhao political-legal role.

Just two months later, in June 2026, Zhang Dianhu, Rizhao City Standing Committee member and Vice Mayor, was also placed under investigation. Toutiao coverage confirmed that Zhang, born in November 1968 and a native of Linyi, Shandong, had previously served in Linyi’s Mengyin County and Lanshan District before joining the Rizhao leadership in January 2022.

Wang Feng’s Role and Career

Wang Feng was confirmed in his dual role as Rizhao Deputy Secretary and Political-Legal Committee Secretary as of March 2024, when he appeared at the launch event for the 2024 Rizhao City First Bicycle Cycling Month and the 6th “Jieli 100” Cycling Experience Race at Wanpingkou Marine Park. A report from Dazhong News documented his attendance alongside other city leaders at the event, which drew more than 1,200 cyclists from across the province.

The Political and Legal Affairs Committee, which Wang heads, oversees the courts, prosecutors, and public security apparatus in the city. The investigation of both the current and former holders of this position highlights a notable focus on the political-legal system, aligning with the national anti-corruption campaign’s emphasis on this area.

Wang’s predecessor in the role, Wang Xinsheng, was promoted to a higher-level position in 2023 and later became Mayor of Rizhao, as reported by Beijing News in its coverage of the city’s leadership changes in July 2023.

Analysis: Patterns and Implications

Several notable patterns emerge from the recent spate of investigations in Rizhao. Both Geng Xuewei and Zhang Dianhu previously served in Linyi, Shandong, before moving to Rizhao, potentially indicating a broader investigation network spanning multiple cities in the province. The geographic connection between these officials may suggest that investigators are tracing networks of relationships and potential misconduct across municipal boundaries.

The focus on the political-legal system is also significant. With both the former and current Political-Legal Committee Secretaries now under investigation, the CCDI appears to be conducting a thorough examination of the city’s legal and security apparatus. This mirrors the national anti-corruption campaign’s stated priority on cleaning up the political-legal system, which has been a recurring theme in China’s anti-corruption efforts in recent years.

The Shandong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection has been notably active, with a steady stream of investigations targeting officials at both provincial and municipal levels. The province’s aggressive enforcement reflects the broader national commitment to anti-corruption under the CCDI’s leadership.

What’s Next

The investigation of Wang Feng is ongoing, and the specific allegations against him have not yet been publicly detailed. As with similar cases, the outcome could range from administrative penalties to criminal prosecution, depending on the severity of any violations found.

Observers will be watching to see whether additional Rizhao officials come under investigation in the coming months. The pattern of successive probes — April, June, and now August — suggests that the anti-corruption effort in the city may not yet be complete. The Shanghai Observer previously reported on the appointment of Gao Yonggan as Rizhao City Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary in April 2024, a role that positions him at the center of the city’s anti-corruption enforcement efforts.

For now, Wang Feng’s case serves as another reminder of the Chinese Communist Party’s sustained commitment to anti-corruption enforcement at the local government level, even as the campaign continues to target officials across all tiers of the party and state apparatus.