China investigates Sun Shaocheng, former Inner Mongolia party chief and veterans minister

SCMP | Jan. 30, 2026, 1 a.m. | Original

Sun Shaocheng, 65, is facing a disciplinary review and supervisory investigation by China’s top anti-corruption body the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Photo: Handout

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A former Communist Party chief of the resource-rich Inner Mongolia autonomous region, who was also China’s first veterans affairs minister, is under investigation amid the country’s continuing anti-corruption campaign .

Sun Shaocheng, 65, is being investigated by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection for “suspected serious violations of discipline and law”, a euphemism for corruption, the top disciplinary body said on Thursday.

Sun serves as vice-chairman of the Social Development Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, a semi-retirement position he was appointed to in October 2025 on reaching retirement age. He is a member of the party’s 20th Central Committee.

The disciplinary review and supervisory investigation was announced days after the announcement that China’s top-ranking general, Zhang Youxia, and another senior officer, Liu Zhenli, were under investigation.
Sun’s downfall came only four months after he stepped down as party chief of Inner Mongolia, a role he held from 2022 to 2025. Wang Lixia, who served as the region’s government head at the time, came under investigation in August 2025.

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Two top Chinese military generals removed, under investigation for ‘serious violations’

Two top Chinese military generals removed, under investigation for ‘serious violations’

Sun played a key role in China’s veteran affairs from 1999, when he had a leading role at the Bureau of Preferential Treatment and Resettlement, part of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which was then in charge of resettling former military personnel.

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