On the Case of Fu Chengyu

Fu Chengyu, a native of Heilongjiang Province, was born in 1951. From an early age, he studied geology and graduated from Northeast Petroleum Institute (now Northeast Petroleum University). He later pursued petroleum engineering at the University of Southern California in the United States, earning a master’s degree. Upon returning to China, he devoted himself to the petroleum industry for over forty years—beginning his career at major oilfields such as Daqing and Liaohe. He served successively as General Manager and Party Secretary of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Chairman and Party Secretary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), and as a member of the 17th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and a Standing Committee Member of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). During his tenure at CNOOC, he spearheaded construction of the deepwater drilling platform 'Haiyang Shiyou 981', advancing China’s offshore oil and gas development. After transferring to Sinopec, he implemented professional reorganization—establishing specialized subsidiaries including Sinopec Engineering Group and Sinopec Petroleum Engineering Co., Ltd.—and launched mixed-ownership reform in the sales business, attracting over one hundred billion RMB in investment. At the time, he enjoyed widespread acclaim and was hailed as “the most internationally minded” leader among central state-owned enterprises; he even appeared on TIME magazine’s list of the “World’s Most Influential People.” Yet on October 31, 2026, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission announced that Fu Chengyu was suspected of serious violations of discipline and law and was undergoing disciplinary review and supervisory investigation. Though retired for eleven years and aged seventy-six, he ultimately could not escape scrutiny—a development that left many stunned. Fu’s rise was not merely attributable to high office but also to his reputation for competence. At CNOOC, he boldly competed with foreign enterprises and pioneered deep-sea oil and gas development; at Sinopec, he pursued bold institutional reforms aimed at correcting long-standing inefficiencies plaguing state-owned enterprises. At that time, commentators believed that the appointment of capable leaders to giant SOEs might finally dispel bureaucratic inertia. Yet within the system, heavy authority inevitably attracts concentrated interests. The petroleum industry—spanning exploration, extraction, refining, marketing, joint ventures, and overseas operations—entails lengthy value chains and transactions amounting to hundreds of millions or even billions of yuan. Should those in charge lose self-discipline, ample opportunities arise for manipulation and abuse. In 2015, the Sixth Central Inspection Team conducted a special inspection of Sinopec and issued a stern feedback report, stating that managers across different levels and business segments “used their control over resources and platforms to engage in interest transfers and exchanges in engineering construction, material procurement, petroleum product sales, joint ventures, and overseas operations.” It further noted that “some leading personnel allowed their relatives and children to run businesses in violation of regulations, securing Sinopec contracts and profiting through related-party transactions,” while also citing widespread abuses such as illegal housing allocations and public-fund-financed banquets and tourism. At the time, Fu Chengyu served as Chairman and Party Secretary; the inspection feedback was formally received by him during a meeting he presided over, and he publicly pledged to “promptly study each item point-by-point” and “ensure every issue and matter raised receives concrete follow-up.” Yet whether the problems exposed by the inspection stemmed solely from subordinates’ misconduct—or whether leadership had acquiesced to, or even participated in, such abuses—remained unclear at the time. Today’s launch of formal investigation may gradually confirm suspicions long held.

Tiger Hunt: Fu Chengyu

Fu Chengyu, former Chairman of Sinopec, has been taken down—eleven years after retirement and at age seventy-five! Born in June 1951 in Heilongjiang Province, Fu Chengyu is a senior economist. He graduated in 1975 from the Department of Geological Exploration at Northeast Petroleum Institute (now Northeast Petroleum University) and later earned a master’s degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Southern California. Prior to his retirement in 2015, Fu served as Chairman and Party Secretary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Group) and as a member of the 17th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Just months ago, he remained highly active in public life. Wang Yilin was sentenced last year. This corruption line stretches back quite far. It’s time to revisit the history books. Write an in-depth article exceeding ten thousand characters. Those interested, please send a private message replying: 'Fu Chengyu' To read the full text.

Former Sinopec Chairman Fu Chengyu Under Investigation After 11 Years of Retirement

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The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced that Fu Chengyu, former chairman of Sinopec, is under investigation for suspected serious violations. Reports indicate the probe may concern economic issues during the company's past mixed-ownership reform and sales subsidiary listing.

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