Sat Jan 24 08:40:00 UTC 2026: # Purge Continues: Guangzhou Party Chief Guo Yonghang Dismissed Amidst Corruption Investigation, Ties to Xinjiang Party Secretary Examined

The Story:
Guo Yonghang, former Standing Committee member of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and Party Secretary of Guangzhou, has resigned from his position as a representative to the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress. This follows his removal from his previous posts on December 24, 2025, due to “other arrangements,” though a new position has yet to be announced. The announcement of his resignation was made on January 23, 2026, by the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress. Notably, this development coincides with an investigation into Guo Caiwu, a former subordinate of Guo Yonghang in Zhuhai, who was placed under investigation just two weeks prior on January 9, 2026. Significantly, Guo Yonghang’s career trajectory is closely linked to current Politburo member and Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui, having served as Ma’s secretary when Ma governed Shenzhen.

Key Points:

  • Guo Yonghang resigned from the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress on January 23, 2026.
  • He was removed from his positions as Guangdong Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and Guangzhou Party Secretary on December 24, 2025.
  • The official reason given for his removal was “other arrangements,” but no new position has been announced.
  • Guo Caiwu, a former subordinate of Guo Yonghang, was placed under investigation on January 9, 2026.
  • Guo Yonghang is a close associate of Politburo member Ma Xingrui, having served as his secretary in Shenzhen.
  • Commentary suggests that Ma Xingrui may also be under scrutiny, with the extent of any punishment potentially influenced by political considerations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The removal and subsequent resignation of Guo Yonghang, coupled with the investigation of his former subordinate, suggest an ongoing anti-corruption campaign targeting officials with close ties.
  • The connection between Guo Yonghang and Ma Xingrui, a high-ranking Politburo member, indicates that the investigation may extend to higher levels of the Chinese Communist Party.
  • The mention of Politburo member Peng Liyuan and her potential influence on the outcome suggests that factional politics and personal relationships play a significant role in the anti-corruption process.
  • The reference to previous cases, such as that of Yang Jing, provides a framework for understanding potential outcomes for Ma Xingrui, ranging from demotion to more severe penalties.

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