Chengguan officials in a standoff with local street vendors, June 2009

(Guangzhou) – Seven urban management officials in Guangzhou were detained after a graft inquiry uncovered a chain of corruption involving million-yuan bribes related to illegal construction projects and government contracts.

In June, the Guangzhou City Commission for Discipline Inspection charged seven officials with taking kickbacks tied to construction permits and government procurement. Zhang Jianguo, deputy director of the Guangzhou administrative committee of urban management was detained on allegations of pocketing a total of 3 million yuan in bribes since 2009. Local party disciplinary authorities did not release further details on the cases.