Former Chairman of China Aerospace Industry Group, Tan Ruisong, Prosecuted for Multiple Alleged Crimes

In a significant legal development, Tan Ruisong, the former chairman of the China Aerospace Industry Group (AVIC), has been formally prosecuted by the Dalian People's Procuratorate for a range of alleged crimes, including corruption, bribery, and insider trading. The case was investigated by the National Supervisory Commission and the Chaoyang Municipal Public Security Bureau in Liaoning Province, and the prosecution was initiated following a designation by the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

According to the prosecution, Tan Ruisong allegedly misappropriated a massive amount of public funds while serving in various high-ranking positions within the AVIC, including as vice chairman of the AVIC Second Group and later as chairman of the AVIC Group. He is also accused of accepting bribes from individuals and companies in exchange for favorable treatment in business matters such as mergers and acquisitions, project contracts, and employee recruitment. Furthermore, Tan is alleged to have engaged in insider trading and leaked confidential information to others, enabling them to make profitable stock trades based on non-public data.

The prosecution highlights that Tan's actions have caused severe damage to the integrity of the state-owned aerospace sector and have undermined public trust in the industry. During the investigation, Tan was found to have violated numerous party and state regulations, including engaging in activities that undermined the Party’s authority, accepting extravagant banquets that could influence official duties, and participating in inappropriate personal relationships.

Tan Ruisong, born in 1962, served in key roles within the AVIC for over two decades, rising to the position of chairman in 2018. However, he was removed from the position in March 2023 due to age-related regulations. He was placed under investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission in August 2024, and was ultimately expelled from the Communist Party in February 2025 for serious violations of party discipline and suspected criminal activities.

The case has drawn widespread attention, with many observers criticizing the systemic corruption within the Chinese aerospace sector. Some analysts argue that the investigation into Tan Ruisong reflects a broader effort by Chinese authorities to crack down on high-level corruption in state-owned enterprises. However, critics also point out that such high-profile cases highlight the challenges of ensuring transparency and accountability in large, state-controlled industries.

Tan Ruisong is currently being held in custody and is expected to face trial in the near future. His case will serve as a test of China’s commitment to enforcing the rule of law, even among its most powerful officials.