Rocket maker boss resigns from China legislature ahead of ‘two sessions’ 2024
- Feng Jiehong, chairman of CASIC-affiliated aerospace group, joins former foreign minister Qin Gang in resignation exit
- No reasons were given for the departures, which follow the recent dismissals of a number of defence-related NPC deputies
Feng is chairman of China Space Sanjiang Group Corporation Limited, a key developer and manufacturer of the country’s carrier rockets affiliated with the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
According to a statement issued on Tuesday after a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, his resignation was accepted by Hubei People’s Congress.
In addition, the Standing Committee said that a lieutenant general, Li Zhizhong, who was deputy commander of the Central Theatre Command, had been dismissed from the legislature.
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Possible reasons for resigning, according to the legislature’s official rules, include job transfer, an inability to perform duties for physical reasons, violation of laws and dereliction of duty.
Before becoming head of Sanjiang Group – the largest defence manufacturer in Hubei – in 2021, Feng was director of the scientific research and production department of CASIC.
The aerospace corporation designs, develops and manufactures a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, as well as ground equipment for China’s space programme and its military.
Feng’s previous positions included vice-chairman of CASIC’s Second Academy which focuses on missile development and production.
According to publicly available information, he resigned as chairman of Aerosun Group, a publicly listed company affiliated with CASIC, last August for personal reasons.
The latest departures from the NPC follow the dismissals in December of three senior Chinese defence executives from the top political advisory body.
China strips 3 aerospace-defence executives of political titles amid crackdown
CASIC deputy manager Wang Changqing, Wu Yansheng, chairman of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and Liu Shiquan, chairman of the board of the China North Industries Group Corporation lost their positions on the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
In January, it was announced that Wang Xiaojun – a prominent rocket scientist who previously led the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology – had also been removed from the advisory body.
China has been targeting senior officials in and close to the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, which oversees the country’s nuclear and missile development.
Nine PLA generals, including a number of senior Rocket Force personnel, were dismissed from China’s top legislature in December following an earlier shake-up of its high command.
