Former China Eastern Airlines chairman expelled from CPC

Liu Shaoyong, former chairman of China Eastern Airlines Co, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China for serious breaches of Party discipline and alleged violations of national laws, the country's top anti-corruption watchdog announced on Sunday.

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection released the decision in a statement on its official website. Liu, 67, was placed under investigation in June 2025 for suspected severe violations of Party discipline and national laws.

Following the probe, the commission found Liu was disloyal to the Party and engaged in superstitious activities. He also illegally accepted invitations to banquets and participated in arranged golf events.

He was discovered to have used his position to seek benefits for others in job recruitment and accepted properties in return. Liu also provided advantages to his family members in business activities, including private equity, and improperly possessed shares in non-listed companies.

By exploiting his position, he also offered benefits to others in project contracting, flight management, and aircraft leasing, receiving large sums of money or valuables in exchange.

Given Liu's serious violations of Party discipline, the commission expelled him from the Party and confiscated his illicit gains. The suspected criminal issues, along with the properties involved, have been transferred to prosecutors for further review.

Public records show Liu, a native of Henan province, joined the Party in 1977 and began his career in the civil aviation industry in 1978. He held several key positions in the sector before joining China Eastern Airlines in 2008. Between December 2017 and July 2022, he served as Party secretary and chairman of the company.