On October 15, a report from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission revealed that Yang Fasen, a member of the Standing Committee of the Qinghai Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, is under investigation for serious violations of discipline and law. He voluntarily surrendered and is currently undergoing disciplinary review and supervisory investigation by the central authorities.
Yang Fasen, born in February 1971, is a member of the 20th Central Committee and has held various positions, including member of the Aksu Prefectural Committee and Secretary of the Baicheng County Committee in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. He also served as the deputy secretary of the Hotan Prefectural Committee, Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and Secretary of the Hotan Prefectural Committee.
In March 2021, Yang was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Government, followed by his role as a member of the Xinjiang Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Urumqi Municipal Party Committee in October 2021. In May 2023, he took up his position in Qinghai before deciding to surrender.
His last public appearance was in July of this year, and he has not been reported in the media for the past three months.
Notably, during his time in Xinjiang, Yang collaborated with Dou Wangu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Xinjiang People’s Political Consultative Conference, who was investigated in March of this year. Their professional paths intersected when both served in Aksu from 2013 to 2016.
In addition, less than two weeks ago, the Qinghai Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervisory Commission announced the investigation of two other officials in the political and legal system. On September 27, the website reported that Zhang Qian, the former deputy secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee of Qinghai Province, and Zhang Gaoshe, the former deputy director of the Qinghai Provincial Department of Justice, were under scrutiny.
Yang Fasen marks the second provincial or ministerial-level official to voluntarily surrender this year, following Luo Baoming, who, on July 25, reported himself to authorities amid allegations of serious violations. Luo previously served as the Governor and Party Secretary of Hainan Province.
According to the Central Commission’s website, over 40 senior officials have been investigated this year, with more than 20 of those under investigation while in office. In July, the commission emphasized a strong commitment to combating corruption, noting that the deterrent effect of intensified oversight has led many violators to voluntarily surrender, indicating a layered effect of discouraging corrupt behavior is taking shape.
