China’s centralized anti-corruption bodies have announced the expulsion of former National Railway Administration head, Fei Dongbin, from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and his dismissal from public office. The sweeping action follows a substantive investigation into what authorities deem serious violations of both party discipline and national law.
The decision, made public on December 5, 2025, by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Commission of Supervision (NCS), caps a high-level probe involving a former senior official who was also an alternate member of the 20th CPC Central Committee. As a result of the findings, Fei’s illicit financial gains have been confiscated, and his case has been transferred to judicial authorities to determine potential criminal charges.
Investigation Reveals Abuse of Power
The multifaceted investigation concluded that Mr. Fei demonstrated profound political shortcomings, engaging in opportunistic behavior and political maneuvering while in office. Investigators specifically accused him of neglecting core ideological principles and failing to cooperate fully with the internal inquiry. Furthermore, he was found to have disregarded the CPC’s fundamental eight-point rules aimed at promoting administrative efficiency and ethical conduct.
According to the disciplinary watchdogs, Fei systematically abused his substantial authority. He allegedly engineered advantages for various parties across multiple domains, including project contracting, routine business operations, and personnel promotions. In exchange for these official favors, he accepted significant amounts of money and valuable assets, thereby corrupting his official capacities.
Consequences for Senior Leadership
The disciplinary measures are rigorous and are applied under both the party’s internal rules and state laws. The immediate penalties include the aforementioned:
- Expulsion from the Communist Party of China: Removing him from the country’s sole ruling political entity.
- Dismissal from Public Office: Stripping him of all state-held positions.
- Confiscation of Illegal Proceeds: Seizing all assets deemed acquired through corrupt activities.
The transfer of his file to prosecutorial organs signifies a crucial transition from political accountability to criminal liability. This step is necessary to establish whether the corruption violations meet the threshold for prosecution under China’s criminal code.
This case underscores Beijing’s continuous, high-intensity campaign against corruption, which has targeted officials at every rank, often referred to as “tigers and flies.” The removal of a former senior leader in a critical infrastructure sector like the National Railway Administration serves as a powerful deterrent, signaling that professional achievements or previous party standing do not grant immunity from ethical and legal scrutiny. The ongoing efforts aim to bolster public trust and enhance the transparency and integrity of China’s sprawling governmental apparatus.