Wang Tianpu: Former President of Sinopec Kicked-Out of Communist Party, to be Prosecuted for Corruption

Sep 18, 2015 09:00 AM EDT

(Photo : REUTERS/Bobby Yip) Wang Tianpu, Sinopec's former Director and President, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and all pubic posts after investigators found evidence linking him to corruption.

One of the highest ranking figures in China's petroleum sector has been removed from the Communist Party and all public posts after he was found guilty of corruption by investigators. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced on Friday that the case against Wang Tianpu has been handed over to prosecutors.

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In April, the CCDI announced that Wang has been placed under investigation after news emerged that he had been momentarily detained by investigators. According to the commission, the 53-year-old has been found guilty of accepting bribes and using his position to benefit himself and his relatives. He is also accused of embezzling public funds.

Wang served as the vice-president of China's largest oil refiner for about five years before becoming the head of the company in 2005. He is one of the Sinopec officials who faced punishment after the 2013 Qingdao pipeline explosion, which killed up to 62 people and injured over 130.

Wang, who was a member of the board of directors of Sinopec, also served as the vice-chairman of the board from May 2006 to April this year. He resigned from this role following the CCDI's announcement that he had been placed under investigation for corruption.

China's energy sector is one of the branches of government that has come directly under the spotlight of President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive. Several high ranking officials in many arms of the government have been found guilty of corruption and other violations of the law since the campaign began in 2012. In June, Liao Yongyuan, the former vice-chairman of PetroChina was charged with bribery and other crimes.

Experts say that Wang's case would be heard in court since it is now in the hands of the judiciary. But it is unclear when the proceedings against him would begin. In March, Xu Caihou, a top Chinese military official charged with corruption, died of cancer before he could be arraigned in court.

TagsSinopec, Wang Tianpu, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp., Xu Caihou, Liao Yongyuan