In a significant demonstration of China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, Yang Chao, the former president of China Life Insurance (Group) Company, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China following extensive investigations by the nation’s top disciplinary watchdogs.
The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision announced the decision through an official statement released on Friday, December 26, 2025. The investigation, which began in March, uncovered systematic violations of Party discipline and national laws by the senior executive.
According to the disciplinary authorities, Yang, who held leadership positions in one of China’s central financial State-owned enterprises, demonstrated disloyalty to the Party and exhibited a profound disregard for organizational discipline. The investigation revealed multiple layers of misconduct spanning his tenure and even continuing after his retirement.
Yang’s violations included illegally accepting gifts and banquet invitations, along with persistent misuse of official vehicles. The former executive also provided false information during questioning and was found to have solicited and accepted bribes in exchange for influencing personnel promotions and recruitment decisions within the company.
Notably, the disciplinary commissions highlighted that Yang continued to breach regulations post-retirement by engaging in unauthorized part-time employment and illicit business activities. Furthermore, he systematically enabled family members to exploit his former position and influence for personal gain.
The investigation particularly emphasized Yang’s interference in investment activities, where he allegedly accepted substantial illicit payments, characterizing his case as emblematic of corruption within China’s financial investment sector.
In addition to his expulsion from the Party, authorities have confiscated all illicit gains obtained through his corrupt practices. The case’s criminal aspects and related assets have been transferred to prosecutors in Shangrao, Jiangxi province, for formal legal proceedings.
Yang Chao, a 75-year-old Shanghai native, dedicated decades to China’s banking and insurance sectors. He ascended to the positions of Party chief and general manager of China Life Insurance Co Ltd in 2000 before retiring in 2011, though his post-retirement activities have now drawn severe disciplinary consequences.