{"id":242067,"date":"2022-08-01T16:31:24","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T23:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/?p=242067"},"modified":"2022-09-09T18:06:23","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T01:06:23","slug":"anti-corruption-drive-targets-officials-in-semiconductor-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/2022\/08\/anti-corruption-drive-targets-officials-in-semiconductor-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-Corruption Drive Targets Officials in Semiconductor Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

The CCP\u2019s long-running anti-corruption drive has found a new target: officials in charge of the country\u2019s semiconductor industry. The highest Party and state investigative bodies simultaneously announced that Xiao Yaqing, the now-former head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, is under investigation for unspecified violations of Party rules and discipline. A number of other officials connected with the \u201cBig Fund,\u201d a state-funded semiconductor manufacturing investment vehicle, have also reportedly been placed under investigation. At The Wall Street Journal, Chun Han Wong and Keith Zhai reported on<\/span> Xiao Yaqing\u2019s downfall and what now looks like a failed attempt to stave off investigation by hewing closer to Xi<\/strong><\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The investigation of Mr. Xiao makes him the first incumbent minister to face such an inquest since Mr. Xi started his second term as party chief in 2017.<\/p>\n

<\/span>[…] Mr. Xiao wasn\u2019t named as a delegate to the coming party congress at an internal vote this month to pick representatives from among senior central-level party and government officials\u2014an unusual omission given that his predecessor as industry and information technology minister was a delegate to the 2017 congress. Mr. Xiao, who was Sasac chief at the time, was also a congress delegate that year.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Mr. Xiao hasn\u2019t made any public appearance since early July, when he chaired a virtual communications ministers\u2019 conference on July 6 with counterparts from Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa.<\/p>\n

<\/span>The following day, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a notice saying Mr. Xiao recently chaired a political study session for party members at the agency. Cadres must \u201cunite more closely around\u201d Mr. Xi\u2019s leadership, Mr. Xiao said, and \u201cgreet the victorious convening of the 20th party congress with practical actions.\u201d [<\/span>Source<\/strong><\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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I really think this is the result of pouring 150-200 billion dollars into a narrow industry. The rent seeking opportunities were just too good to miss for the decision makers<\/p>\n

— Victor Shih (@vshih2) July 28, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n