The minister of land and resources has reportedly
been suspended for alleged corruption in the most significant scandal in the central
government since China’s ¡®fourth generation¡¯ of leaders took office in March.
Tian Fengshan, 63, was reportedly suspended on suspicion of “illegal
land-grabbing” and was being investigated after the National Audit Office uncovered RMB 7
million of irregular land deals in several regions, including
Chongqing.
Media reports said that more than 22,000 hectares had been
used improperly and 59 of 176 land deals approved in Chongqing were cancelled following
an investigation.
Mr Tian was replaced as party secretary of the land
ministry by his executive deputy secretary, Sun Wensheng.
Mr Tian
became party secretary of the Ministry of Land and Resources in 1999 and was confirmed
as minister in March 2000.
Any reshuffle of cabinet ministers has to be
approved by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
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