China's top rocket researcher expelled from CPPCC

China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Mr. Wang Xiaojun, former director of the China Launch Vehicle Technology Research Institute, was removed from the membership of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) - the country's political advisory body.

The decision was considered and approved at the 13th Presidium Meeting of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference held on January 29 in Beijing. CCTV did not give any details about the reason for removing Mr. Wang's status.

Mr. Wang Xiaojun, former director of the China Institute of Launch Vehicle Technology. (Photo: SCMP)

According to public documents, Mr. Wang Xiaojun was born in 1969. He graduated from the National University of Defense Technology with a master's degree in rocket design and a doctorate from the China Institute of Propulsion Technology. He was appointed director of the China Institute of Propulsion Technology in February 2020.

Mr. Wang is known for his work on China's space program, including leading the development of the Long March-7 rocket family, which is used to resupply the Tiangong space station and launch satellites.

Mr. Wang became a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in March 2023. His last public appearance was in June of that year, as the president of the China Institute of Launch Vehicle Technology, when he led an official on a tour of an exhibition on aerospace development.

China is carrying out a major anti-corruption campaign in areas related to its rocket force and space development. In China, the space program is closely linked to the military.

Last December, three senior Chinese aerospace executives were removed from the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Days later, five former or current leaders of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force were removed from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress , the country's top legislature.

Li Shangfu, China's former defense minister who was removed from his post in October, was once director of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission before becoming the face of China's military diplomacy.

The CMC issued a notice in July asking the public to report irregularities in the way it evaluated equipment tenders since October 2017. The notice did not mention Mr. Li, but he had taken up his post as director of the Ministry of Equipment Development just a month earlier.

Hua Yu (Source: SCMP)

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