Energy Sector Faces Intensified Anti-Corruption Crackdown as Dozens of Officials Are Investigated

In a significant move, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission (NSC) have announced the investigation of more than a dozen officials in the energy sector since July 2025. This follows the recent announcement that Tang Fuping, former member of the Party Committee and former纪委书记 (discipline inspection commissioner) of Western Pipeline Co., Ltd., part of the National Oil and Gas Pipeline Group, is under disciplinary review and investigation for alleged serious disciplinary violations and illegal acts.

The National Oil and Gas Pipeline Group is responsible for the investment, construction, and operation of key oil and gas infrastructure across the country, including main pipelines and gas storage facilities. Tang Fuping, who had held various senior roles in the energy sector for decades, including as head of the Sichuan Oilfield and in the Western Pipeline Co., is now under scrutiny.

According to the CCDI's latest report, at least ten officials in the energy sector have been investigated since July, including one central-level cadre. Notably, several of these individuals were retired or had left their previous positions long before being investigated, highlighting the fact that retirement does not serve as a safeguard against accountability.

Among those investigated are key figures from major energy companies such as China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), China Petroleum Engineering Company (CPECC), and China National Chemical Corporation (Sinochem). The list includes former senior executives and managers from both state-owned enterprises and power companies, indicating that the anti-corruption efforts are not limited to a single sector but are sweeping across the entire energy landscape.

Experts point out that the energy sector is a high-risk area for corruption due to its concentration of power, large capital flows, and monopolistic tendencies. The recent crackdown is a clear signal that the central government is determined to address systemic corruption and promote transparency in this critical industry.

Professor Peng Xinlin, a leading anti-corruption expert, emphasized that the energy sector's corruption can distort market mechanisms, undermine energy security, and harm the national economy. He noted that the recent investigations demonstrate the effectiveness of the current anti-corruption measures and the government’s commitment to eradicating corruption at all levels.

Meanwhile, the CCDI has reiterated its stance that retirees are not immune from investigation. The commission has made it clear that disciplinary actions will be taken against any individual, regardless of whether they are currently in office or have long since retired. This message is a strong reminder that the fight against corruption is ongoing and that no one is above the law.

As the energy sector continues to be a focal point of anti-corruption efforts, the recent wave of investigations underscores the government’s determination to maintain integrity and accountability in one of the country’s most vital industries.