Heads are rolling in Nanjing to hold accountable those responsible for the COVID outbreak that is China’s worst since Wuhan. Among them, the airport’s chairman, general manager, head of epidemic prevention and directors of emergency rescue and ground services.
Last night, China’s state-level disciplinary authorities issued a circular confirming that Feng Jun, a Party secretary and Chairman of Eastern Airport Group Co., Ltd., was suspected of serious violation of discipline and law, and is currently undergoing disciplinary and supervisory investigation. Feng was originally suspended by the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee on 23 July.
Disciplinary and supervisory investigation. The Paper, on the other hand, has simplified this as “sacked” (落马). Either way, it’s certainly sunset on the careers of those involved.
Four others were also named in yesterday evening’s circular.
Xu Yong, a deputy secretary of the Party committee and General Manager of Eastern Airport Group, is also on the receiving end of disciplinary and supervisory investigation.
Wang Chao, a Party committee member, who heads up foreign epidemic prevention and control work, was suspected of dereliction of duty and ineffective performance in the management and supervisory responsibilities for epidemic prevention and control, resulting in heavy losses and adverse effects.
Likewise for Yin Yunwen, who directs the airport group’s emergency rescue efforts.
Xu Yongjie, heading up the group’s department handling ground services, managed to avoid the dereliction of duty charge, but still stands accused of failing to perform his duties in epidemic prevention and control, resulting in heavy losses and adverse effects.
In the aforementioned three cases, the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision has filed for review and investigation.
And these five are far from alone. The Global Times reports that at least 15 other Nanjing officials have also received penalties. They include Hu Wanjin, a Vice Mayor of Nanjing; and Fang Zhongyou, Party chief of the Nanjing Health Commission.
As investigations continue, it is already apparent that the main reasons for the COIVD outbreak at Nanjing Lukou International Airport were the inadequate implementation of prevention and control and a relaxed mentality on the part of employees due to the airport’s long-term stable operation since the epidemic became under control last year.
Nanjing-based Eastern Airport Group is a provincial airport group with a controlling stake in seven airports across Jiangsu Province, namely Changzhou, Huai’an (Lianshui), Lianyungang, Nanjing, Yancheng, Yangtai (Yangzhou-Taizhou) and Xuzhou.
