China to expel prominent rocket scientist from top body as corruption probe keeps sights on defence-aerospace sector

Wang Xiaojun, who led the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, would be removed as a representative on the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), state broadcaster CCTV said without detailing any reason for Wang’s removal.

The decision came after Wang Huning, the CPPCC chairman and Politburo Standing Committee member, chaired a regular meeting with his deputies. The meeting did not have the power to dismiss Wang outright; the decision is likely to be made final in March, before the “two sessions” annual meetings.

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China has targeted senior officials in and close to the rocket force, which oversees nuclear and missile development. Three senior Chinese aerospace-defence executives were dismissed from the CPPCC in December. Two days later, five former or serving leaders of the force were removed from the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body.

Rocket scientist Wang is known for his work on China’s space programme, including leading the development of the Long March 7 family of rockets that are used to resupply the Tiangong space station and to launch satellites.

He became a CPPCC member in March. His last known appearance was in June, when as dean he led an official through an exhibit about aerospace development at the state-run rocket academy. Only days before, he received officials from Hunan province. Wang has since been replaced by an acting dean.

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Wang had become the dean and deputy party secretary of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology by February 2020, replacing Hao Zhaoping who became dean in 2018.

Beijing has launched a wide-ranging purge of officials involved in the missile force and space development. In China, the space programme is closely linked to the military.

The crewed programme draws astronauts from the military’s astronaut corps under the PLA Strategic Support Force. The China Manned Space Agency is under the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), China’s top military command.

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Li Shangfu, the former defence minister who was dismissed in October, headed the equipment department before he became the face of China’s military diplomacy.

The CMC issued a notice in July asking the public to report irregularities in how equipment tenders had been assessed since October 2017. The notice did not mention Li, but he started as head of the department only a month before.

South China Morning Post