Liu Zhijun
Liu Zhijun (simplified Chinese: 刘志军; traditional Chinese: 劉志軍; pinyin: Liú Zhìjūn; born January,1953, Ezhou, Hubei) is a Chinese politician. He has been Minister of Railways in the People's Republic of China[1] since 2003. He was previously the Vice Minister, Chief Despatcher of Chinese Railways and the Director General of Shenyang Railway Administration.[2]
Minister of Railways
Liu succeeded then-Minister Fu Zhihuan in March 2003 at the annual meeting of the National People's Congress. Liu aimed to develop China's railway system in a "leapfrog" fashion, and earned the nickname "Leap Liu". In July 2006, Liu oversaw the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world's highest railway by elevation. He oversaw the fifth and sixth Comprehensive Speed Upgrades of the national railway network, as well as the intensive construction of a new national high-speed rail network, which Liu has taken on with particular rigour and regards it as one of his favourite projects.[3] Liu describes his achievement has having created a network with a comprehensive system involving indigenous Chinese intellectual property. He stated that China has created high-speed railway system that has the "greatest comprehensive technology, best integrative ability, highest operational distance, fastest operational speed, and largest scale of construction" in the world.[4]
During his tenure, the ministry was criticized for its illegitimate business interests and relationships with large companies, its inability to improve conditions for migrant workers during the Chunyun period, its slow response to the widespread winter storms in 2008, as well as its failure to prevent the 2008 train collision in Shandong and the smaller collision in Hunan a year later. In addition, Liu was personally subject to online criticism for his repeated marriages.[5] His brother Liu Zhixiang, a lower-level railways official based in Wuhan, was convicted of corruption charges in 2006 and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve.[5]
Investigation
During February 2011, Liu Zhijun was under investigation over alleged "severe violation of discipline" by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China,[6] and was dismissed from his position as party chief of the ministry[7] on 12 February.[8] His dismissal was linked to an earlier corruption case involving Ding Shumiao of Boyou Investment Management Group Ltd., a company whose portfolio has benefited greatly from the explosion of high-speed rail construction in China.[9] Prior to his dismissal, Liu spent ten days travelling across the country to ensure the smooth operations of the railway system during the Chunyun period. His downfall came suddenly and unexpectedly, and was met with celebrations in online communities.[4]
References
- ^ Liu Zhijun - Official Biography
- ^ Liu Zhijun - Official Biography
- ^ Wong, Edward (2011-02-12). "China's Railway Minister Is Stripped of His Post Amid a Corruption Investigation". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
- ^ a b Mu, Yao (2011-02-12). "刘志军任内铁路大事记 [Major events in China's Railway System during Liu's tenure]". Duowei. Retrieved 2011-02-12. Cite error: The named reference "dw2" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b "中国铁道部长刘志军涉嫌严重违纪接受调查". Duowei. 2011-02-11.
- ^ Lu, Hui (2011-02-11). "China's railway minister under investigation over "disciplinary violation"". Xinhuanet. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ Note that while Liu was removed from his party post as chief of the ministry, Liu nominally retains the government position of Minister of Railways until his removal is confirmed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. This is merely a procedural confirmation that serves as no more than a formality.
- ^ "China's Railway Minister Loses Post in Corruption Inquiry". The New York Times. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
- ^ Cao, Tongqing (2011-02-12). "刘志军被查与丁书苗案有关 [Liu Zhijun's investigation is related to Ding case]". Duowei. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
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