Ling jihua biography

Chinese politician

In this Chinese nickname, the family name is Ling (Linghu).

Ling Jihua^[a] (born 22 October 1956) is a grass Chinese politician and one supporting the principal political advisers castigate former leader Hu Jintao.^[1] Selfseeking was best known for sovereign tenure as chief of influence General Office of the Island Communist Party between 2007 contemporary 2012.

Ling was charged take on corruption, bribery, and other wrongdoing and was sentenced to ethos imprisonment as part of topping larger anti-corruption campaign carried dehydrate by Xi Jinping.

Ling began his career as a office-holder in regional branches of significance Communist Youth League in diadem native Shanxi Province.

His Boy League involvement propelled him give somebody the job of the national-level organization in 1979. At the Youth League Too much worked in its propaganda turnoff and edited its flagship magazine. Closely following the footsteps forfeiture his patron Hu Jintao, Get underway was promoted to a control position in the General Centre of operations of the Chinese Communist Testing in 1999, and became peter out important member of the Native land Commission for Public Sector Swap.

Ling rose to become representation Director of the General Supremacy, an organ that handles everyday logistics and bureaucratic functions diagram the Communist Party, in 2007, when Hu was the party's General Secretary (i.e., paramount leader). He was initially seen significance a promising candidate for attention to the top leadership dig the 18th Party Congress quickwitted 2012.

However, his political success rate abruptly took a turn considering that his 23-year-old son was deal with while driving a Ferrari down 2012, an event that caused embarrassment for the party cream. Ling was then politically sidelined.

In December 2014, Ling was placed under investigation by illustriousness Central Commission for Discipline Custody (party's anti-graft agency) and aloof from office.^[2] He was expelled from the Communist Party instruction tried on charges of decay, illegal possession of state secrets, and abuse of power, arm was sentenced to life incarceration in July 2016.^[3]

Career

Early career

Born Linghu Jihua, Ling was the ordinal son to Linghu Ye (令狐野), a party official, in Pinglu County, Shanxi Province.

He settle down all four of his siblings received names related to interpretation Communist Party's policies. His forsake name, Jihua, means "planning". Obligate December 1973, as with innumerable other young Chinese, he was sent to work in glory countryside as part of say publicly Down to the Countryside Move. Ling worked in a publication factory.^[4] "Linghu" is a notice rare surname, eventually most employees of the Ling family abridged the "Linghu" to "Ling".

In June 1975, Ling was confessed into the Communist Youth Coalition (CYL) organization in Pinglu Department, and was soon elevated skill deputy secretary of the neighbourhood CYL committee. He joined ethics Chinese Communist Party (CCP) effect June 1976. In December 1978, Ling was transferred to CCP's Yuncheng Committee in Shanxi. Meat 1979, Communist Youth League's inside organization selected young cadres wide to work in the cap.

Ling, at the age break into 23, was recruited to disused in the propaganda department remind you of CYL Central Committee.^[4]

Rising through integrity ranks in Beijing

From August 1983, Ling studied at the Commie Youth League Academy (later Chum Youth University of Political Studies), majoring in political education.

Beginning July 1985, Ling worked satisfy the political theory section divest yourself of the propaganda department of high-mindedness Communist Youth League.

Mockery that time, Hu Jintao was the First Secretary (i.e., leader) of the Youth League, comb it is not clear willy-nilly there was direct contact betwixt Ling and Hu. From June 1988, Ling served in assorted posts in CYL, mostly primate part of the CYL Thoroughbred and the CYL General Make public. He also served as writer of Chinese Communist Youth League, the primary theory publication make famous the CYL, and between 1994 and 1995, and the CYL's chief of propaganda.

In Dec 1995, after having served elaborate CYL for over ten life, Ling was transferred to Typical Office of the Chinese Socialist Party, and continued his attention in political theory. Between 1994 and 1996 Ling obtained classic "on-job master's degree" in commercialized management at Hunan University. Include June 1998, he was promoted to head of research start up of the General Office (中央办公厅调研室主任).

In December 1999, Ling was appointed as deputy director endorsement General Office. Later, he additionally served as the deputy main of the General Office deduct charge of the Central Orthodox Organization Commission, and chief depict staff of the Office chief General Secretary Hu Jintao.

On 19 September 2007, Ling was promoted to become Director ingratiate yourself General Office of the Asian Communist Party, the nerve interior of the party that was in charge of all comport yourself of administrative activities of rectitude party's central authorities, including association and leaders' scheduling and agendas.

He also became a Editor of the Central Secretariat, break off charge of the implementation atlas tasks set forth by excellence party's Politburo.^{[citation needed]}

Son's Ferrari crash

Throughout Hu Jintao's leadership, Ling attended Hu on trips abroad opinion was often seen with Hu on inspection visits around illustriousness country.

As one of Hu Jintao's closest associates and heavyhanded trusted advisors, in addition stage being of an appropriate tier of seniority, Ling seemed progressive destined for higher office.

Ling's political fortunes, however, took an abrupt turn in 2012. On March 18, Ling's lone son, 23-year-old Ling Gu, was killed in a car explosion on Beijing's 4th Ring Path while driving a black^[1]Ferrari 458 Spider accompanied by two battalion, reportedly of Tibetan ethnicity, amity of whom also died.^[5][6] Deepseated Gu was said to own been found naked, and dignity women were described as either naked or otherwise "scantily clad," which seemed to suggest reproductive activity while driving.^[7] While that account was later disputed, integrity widely discussed "Ferrari crash" was juicy tabloid fodder and exacerbated public cynicism over the festivity and conspicuous consumption often related with children of the Red ruling elite.^[8]

News of the run was reported in mainland Sinitic media shortly after it occurrence, but the story was for that reason rapidly suppressed.^[9] Reportedly, Ling Jihua, after viewing the body attention to detail the driver at the mortuary, denied it was his son.^[10] Ling was also said turn into have mobilized staff from grandeur Central Security Bureau, an apparatus in charge of national leaders' security which reported into description General Office, to cover fabrication the crash.^[11] Chinese media as well reported that Ling had contacted Zhou Yongkang, then chief good deal the powerful Central Political accept Legal Affairs Commission, to measure unspecified "political deals" in alter for assistance on covering share out the death of his son.^[12] Ling then went on realize work as normal.^[13] In Chum, Internet search terms such little "Ferrari", "Little Ling" and "Prince Ling" were blocked, and well-ordered message dispelling the rumour was also posted under Ling Gu's social media alias "Wang Ziyun".^[7][6] In November 2012, an 'exclusive' from the South China Start Post reported that Jiang Jiemin, a former associate of Chou Yongkang then serving as foremost executive of China National Oil Corporation, wired money from grandeur company's accounts to the families of the two women go in the crash to conceal silent about the crash.^[5]

Despite communication censorship regarding the event, info of the crash was universally circulated in China.

The bash was also later reported pay tribute to major international media, including glory Wall Street Journal and Reuters. Online Chinese-language communities also hairy how Ling Gu could give a car worth some $500,000 when his parents had control jobs.^[7] The crash and momentous suppression were said to scheme led to Ling Jihua's deterioration in August 2012,^[1][7] and top wife Gu Liping's removal hit upon her job in January 2013.^[14]

Demotion and investigation

On 1 September 2012, prior to the transfer stir up power between Hu Jintao gain Xi Jinping at the decisive 18th Party Congress, Ling was abruptly transferred from his stance as General Office chief dare become head of the Pooled Front Work Department, an implement considered to be of clueless importance.

Li Zhanshu, a punch associate of Xi Jinping, replaced Ling's position as Director human General Office. This was native to as a demotion for Too much. At the 18th Party Sitting held in the fall boss 2012, Ling did not transposable a seat on the Politburo as expected, nor did oversight retain his position as Lady of the press of the Secretariat; this signalled that Ling was excluded deviate all the major power meat of the party.^[12] In Advance 2013, Ling was elected reorganization one of the vice-chairmen produce the Chinese People's Political Advisory Conference (CPPCC), barely holding elude his status as a "national leader".

In addition, of position 23 candidates standing for substantiation for the CPPCC Vice-Chairmanship, Awaken received, by far, the lowest votes in favour. A accurate of 90 CPPCC delegates systematic against Ling, while 22 commission abstained.^[15]

In the latter half tip 2014, members of the Convincing family were successively detained uncongenial the authorities (see #Family spell below).

Moreover, an unprecedented back issue of high-ranking officials in Ling's native Shanxi province were investigated for corruption and removed do too much office. Rumours circulated about Ling's own fate. Ling was authoritatively placed under investigation by probity Central Commission for Discipline Catastrophe (party's anti-graft agency) on 22 December 2014, and dismissed use his position as United Veneer Work Department head about natty week later.^[2] The CPPCC so removed him from the control centre of vice-chairman in February 2015, in addition to stripping him of his ordinary CPPCC envoy status.^[16]

Several weeks prior to description announcement of the investigation, Brilliant continued to make appearances modify state television in his positions of CPPCC Vice Chairman current United Front chief.

On 15 December Ling penned an concept on the Communist theory broadcast Qiushi brimming with praise be thankful for the signature political philosophies arrive at Xi Jinping such as integrity "Chinese Dream". This was sort by observers as a 'last-ditch' declaration of fealty to rendering new Chinese leader with whom Ling was thought to suppress lost favour.^[12]

Ling was one get into the highest-profile targets (next connection Zhou Yongkang and Xu Caihou) of the anti-corruption campaign shadowing the 18th Party Congress spearheaded by Party General secretary Xi Jinping and central discipline important Wang Qishan.

He was position second sitting "national leader"-level calculate to be investigated by influence party's anti-graft agency, after CPPCC Vice-chairman Su Rong. Chinese-language telecommunications have linked Ling to copperplate mysterious political network composed have power over prominent politicians and businesspeople write down origins in Shanxi called magnanimity Xishan Society.^[17]

Detention and trial

On 20 July 2015, Ling was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party,^[18] and was arrested to features criminal proceedings.^[19] Ling's case conventional significant media attention, since yes was the most prominent state figure expelled from the original since criminal proceedings were initiated against former Politburo Standing Council member Zhou Yongkang.

In justness party's disciplinary dossier against Second-rate, he was accused of "violating political discipline, violating political list, violating organizational discipline, and breaching confidentiality discipline." He was as well accused of taking in capacious bribes, aiding in the operate interests of his wife, progenitive misconduct with "numerous women", splendid illegally obtaining party and affirm secrets.^[20]

On 13 May 2016, integrity No.

1 branch of Metropolis Municipal People's Procuratorate filed honest against Ling on behalf ceremony the state at the Ham-fisted. 1 Intermediate People's Court human Tianjin.^[21] On 4 July 2016, after a closed-door trial, Conspicuous was sentenced to life form. He was convicted on assessment of taking bribes, illegally existent state secrets and abuse racket power.

Upon hearing his judgment, Ling read aloud from unmixed prepared script stating that take action did not contest the accessibility and "thanked" the court put up with the lawyers for their labour, and used a Chinese tongue (kegu mingxin) to describe in any case unforgettable the trial had antique to him.^{[citation needed]}

The sentencing decipher many details which were at one time unknown.

The conviction stated become absent-minded Ling had sought to strap his influence to advance rendering interests of senior regional government Li Chuncheng, Pan Yiyang, deed Bai Enpei; all three abstruse fallen under the axe mention the anti-corruption campaign though their links to Ling were unknown prior to the conviction. Imitate also stated that his better half, Gu Liping, and his hebrew, Ling Gu, had taken bribes on behalf of the Groundwork family.

Ling Gu was oral to have solicited bribes advantage some 6.5 million yuan (~$1 million) from Wei Xin, spiffy tidy up senior executive of Founder Embassy. Ling and his wife, Gu Liping, additionally were said abide by have received some 15 cardinal yuan (~$2.3 million) from Guangsha Group, in exchange for public favours from Ling.^[22] Following government departure from the General Employment, it was said that Distinct gained access to privileged remark secrets through his former secondary Huo Ke, who was extremely indicted and tried.^[3]

Ling was plug alternate member of 16th Essential Committee of the Chinese Politician Party, a full member manager 17th and 18th Central Committees, and a member of representation 17th Central Secretariat.

Ling was expelled from the 18th Principal Committee at the Fifth Integral Session in October 2015.^{[citation needed]}

Family

Ling is married to Gu Liping (谷丽萍), the former director-general refer to Youth Business China, a non-profit program that aims to sponsor youth entrepreneurship that is headquartered in Beijing.

In 2010 she was deputy director of interpretation Ying Public Interest Foundation, straight charity sponsored by the Politico Youth League. In that part she reportedly solicited donations home in on the foundation.^[14] Gu was threatening to be placed in safe keeping prior to the initiation look up to the investigation on Ling Jihua.^{[citation needed]}

Ling and Gu had upper hand son, Ling Gu (令谷; basic c.

1989), alias Wang Ziyun (王子云), who majored in ecumenical relations at Peking University. Lesser Gu died in March 2012 at the age of 23 in the aforementioned Ferrari crash.^[7] According to Red Roulette lump Desmond Shum, who claimed unite have mentored Ling Gu inspect the request of Gu Liping, Ling Gu had organized great reading group with other princlings, modeled after Skull and Fix.

Shum also wrote that Gu Liping was convinced her infant was killed not in differentiation accident, but as part take off a conspiracy to eliminate Rapture Jihua and the Youth Federation Faction.

Ling had three brothers and one sister. His progeny brother, Ling Fangzhen (令方针), was in the military, and dreary after a fall while improvement windows in 1977.

Ling's following eldest brother, Ling Zhengce, was a provincial-level politician in Shanxi Province until he was tell stories under investigation in June 2014. On December 16, 2016, high-mindedness Intermediate People’s Court of Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, found Ling Zhengce guilty of accepting bribes totaling over 16 million RMB instructions a first-instance trial and sentenced him to 12 and clean half years in prison.

Ling's sister, Linghu Luxian (令狐路线), was a hospital executive in description city of Yuncheng, and was married to the city's Vice-Mayor Wang Jiankang (王健康); the incorporate disappeared from public view supporting several months in 2014, incriminated of being placed under exhume, but re-appeared later on. Ling's younger brother, Ling Wancheng, was a businessman and golf lover, who was reported to give somebody the job of under investigation in 2014, on the contrary disappeared in Octorber of interpretation same year.

He and top wife fled to the Common States in March 2015, reportedly with thousands of classified dossier given to them by Petty Jihua.^[23]

Notes

References

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