Secretive broker of many China-Africa deals detained in Beijing

Sam Pa, frontman for the secretive Hong Kong-based business network at the center of many China-Africa deals known as Queensway Group, was detained at a hotel in Beijing on October 8, The Financial Times reported, citing local media. News magazine Caixin said Pa’s detention was related to the investigation of Su Shulin, governor of Fujian province and former chairman of state-owned oil group Sinopec. Sinopec had been a key base of support for disgraced former oil and security tsar Zhou Yongkang, and the investigation into Su’s affairs for “suspected serious disciplinary offences” could presage further scrutiny of the firm–which also happens to be a longtimebusiness partner of Queensway.