Guangzhou 'naked official' replaced: report

A senior official from the southern metropolis of Guangzhou in Guangdong province is to be replaced as he is reportedly a "naked official."

The allegations, against Fang Xuan, former deputy Party chief of Guangzhou, come amid China's anti-graft campaign that targets the appointment of this specific group.

Fang was no longer listed on the website of the Guangzhou government as a leader on Monday.

"Naked officials" refer to officials whose spouse and children have both emigrated overseas. According to the latest official selection and appointment regulation issued in January, these officials will not be considered for promotion.

Li Yiwei, Party chief of Foshan, another city in Guangdong province, is expected to take Fang's position, according to a notification released on Monday by the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Guangdong Provincial Committee.

Fang was born in 1954 and will not reach the official retirement age of 60 for officials of his rank until October. He took the post in November 2011, and was requested to take early retirement after authorities found him to be a "naked official," reported caixin.com.

Internal disciplinary documents issued in February offered two options for these officials: Quit or bring his family back to China, according to caixin.com.

There was no official announcement about the reason for the adjustment, or clues that indicate Fang has made disciplinary or law violations.

In February, a central disciplinary inspection team for the first time directly stated the number of "naked officials" is a serious problem in Guangdong.

The province later launched a series of investigations and position adjustments based on the feedback and a previous provincial regulation that "naked officials" cannot take top positions in Party committees and government.

These officials are considered as being high risk for corruption as some have transferred large sums of money abroad, as well as sending immediate relatives overseas to escape investigation and punishment.

There is also a public impression that many such officials must be corrupt, due to recent media exposés of corruption.

The January regulation was lauded by many as it was viewed as the strictest policy to cut off the chance for promotion for these officials.

"Many places have started asking officials to file new personal information reports for scrutiny and re-examine previous reports to find out if they have concealed facts," a source familiar with the regulation told the Global Times on condition of anonymity.

The information reporting system that has been formally implemented since 2010, has been questioned for having limited effect as it is mostly set for internal assessment.

However, some also argued that the emigration status of officials' family members does not necessarily have links with an official's integrity.

"Being a 'naked official' does not equate with violating the laws and regulations, but the country is paying extra attention to top leaders and those in important government agencies such as energy and finance," said the source.