The Communist Party Secretary and Chairman of the Sichuan Leshan Grand Buddha Tourism Investment Development (Group) Co., Ltd., Du Hua, was reported to have fallen from power yesterday (11th). Last March, Du Hua’s deputy and general manager, Kang Xiaoming, had already been investigated.
Du Hua, 58 years old, previously served as the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Leshan City Construction Investment Development (Group); in January 2020, he was appointed Chairman of the Leshan Grand Buddha Tourism Investment Development (Group).
Last March, Du Hua’s deputy and the former general manager of the group, Kang Xiaoming, was investigated. In September last year, Kang Xiaoming was expelled from the Party and removed from public office on charges including bribery and “indulging in eating and drinking for pleasure.”
The management of the Leshan Grand Buddha scenic area has been poor. In October 2021, the Southwest United Property Rights Trading Network once issued an auction notice regarding the overall transfer of the operation rights of the “Leshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area sightseeing buses and stalls for 30 years”, with a listed reserve price of 1.71 billion yuan.
This incident involving Du Hua and Kang Xiaoming reflects a pattern of corruption and mismanagement within the tourism investment and development sector in Sichuan. The fall of these key figures raises questions about the governance and oversight of such projects.
The auction of the operation rights of the Leshan Grand Buddha scenic area highlights the financial challenges and potential mismanagement that have plagued the tourism industry in the region. It also underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of such valuable cultural assets.
As investigations continue and new developments arise, it remains to be seen how the authorities will address the issues uncovered and work towards improving the governance of tourism investments in Sichuan. The downfall of Du Hua and Kang Xiaoming serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of corruption and negligence in public office, urging for stronger regulatory mechanisms and ethical standards in the administration of tourism projects.