China's Former Internet Czar Expelled From Communist Party
Faizan Hashmi Published February 13, 2018 | 07:27 PM
China's former internet czar, who oversaw a tightening of online censorship during his tenure, has been expelled from the Communist Party for taking bribes, the top graft watchdog said Tuesday
Beijing, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :China's former internet czar, who oversaw a tightening of online censorship during his tenure, has been expelled from the Communist Party for taking bribes, the top graft watchdog said Tuesday.
More than 20 allegations against Lu Wei, ranging from serious crimes to criticisms of his character, were listed on the website of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which announced the decision.
In an unusually florid statement, the anti-graft agency accused Lu of "using power for personal gain" and "deceiving the central government" and slammed his "tyrannical" management style. He chose to "selectively carry out" the party's Internet strategy, the document alleged, adding a further investigation would be undertaken.
Lu was once named among the world's 100 most influential people by Time magazine and had rubbed shoulders with the likes of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. But in June 2016 he stepped down from his position supervising controls on online expression as head of the Cyberspace Administration of China.
And in November 2017 officials announced he was being investigated for suspected disciplinary violations. Lu had fiercely defended the country's censorship apparatus after he was appointed in 2013.
He was a powerful figure both at home and abroad, where he commanded the attention of global technology firms eager for a piece of the Chinese market. He was personally received by Zuckerberg in 2014 at Facebook's Silicon Valley headquarters, and appeared in the front row of a group photo alongside top executives from American tech giants such as Amazon and President Xi Jinping when the head of state visited the US in 2015.
Facebook is among a slew of Western websites, along with Twitter, Instagram and several news outlets, that are blocked by China's "Great Firewall" of internet censorship. The announcement of Lu's expulsion follows news earlier Tuesday that former Chongqing party chief Sun Zhengcai had been charged with bribery after being removed from the party in September.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Govt bringing reforms in energy, revenue collection, SOEs: Aurangzeb
Pakistan, New Zealand to face off in 2nd T20I match at Rawalpindi today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 20 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 20 April 2024
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
More Stories From World
-
China tests new freight train with heaviest load capacity
9 minutes ago -
Swiss ballet group stages classics in Beijing
10 minutes ago -
Turkish scientists study receive offers, including US, Canada, to maintain research, development stu ..
20 minutes ago -
Chinese scientists develop new material for seawater desalination
20 minutes ago -
China issues orange alert for rainstorms
29 minutes ago -
Polyester staple fiber factory operational in Xinjiang
29 minutes ago
-
New Godzilla x Kong film continues to lead Chinese box office
30 minutes ago -
42 Neolithic sites found in NE China
40 minutes ago -
Scottish independence supporters seek to inject life into faltering campaign
50 minutes ago -
Georgia's youth dominates pro-Europe street protests
1 hour ago -
Polyester staple fiber factory operational in Xinjiang
1 hour ago -
China issues orange alert for rainstorms
1 hour ago