Successor follows Predecessor: Three Customs Chiefs in Zhuhai Gongbei, Guangdong, Successively Under Investigation

On March 24, it was officially reported that Zhao Min, the former Party Secretary and Chief of Customs of Gongbei Customs in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, was accused of taking bribes and has been transferred to the procuratorate for review and prosecution. Gongbei Customs has seen three successive Chiefs being investigated.

Zhao Min is accused of shifting personal expenses to others, using others’ vehicles without compensation, and abusing the convenience created by his relatives’ positions to seek undue benefits for others through the actions of other national staff, as well as illegally accepting money.

Zhao Min has been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party and had his entitlements revoked. His alleged criminal involvement has been passed to the procuratorate for review and prosecution.

Public records show that Zhao Min, born in March 1957, a CCP member, has held positions in Hunan Hengyang Public Security Bureau, Changsha Public Security Bureau, Changsha Customs, Fuzhou Customs, and Chongqing Customs. In November 2014, he was appointed Chief and Party Secretary of Gongbei Customs, with the title of Level 1 Customs Supervisor.

Before Zhao Min, two former Chiefs of Gongbei Customs were also involved in scandals.

On October 30, 2023, it was officially announced that Zhou Bin, former Party Secretary and Chief of Gongbei Customs, was under investigation for serious violations of discipline and law.

On June 12, 2024, it was reported that Zhou Bin colluded with others, obstructed investigations, engaged in superstitious activities, concealed personal matters, illicitly pursued benefits for others, gave gifts to public officials, interfered in market activities, and other corrupt practices. After retirement, Zhou Bin illegitimately sought benefits and took money through various misconducts.

Zhou Bin was expelled from the CCP, deprived of his entitlements, and his criminal allegations were transferred to the procuratorate for review and prosecution.

According to his public resume, Zhou Bin, born in May 1958, a CCP member, served as Party Secretary and Chief of customs in various cities before his incidents at Gongbei Customs in 2017.

On January 29, 2022, Li Lanxue, former Party Secretary and Chief of Haikou Customs, was under investigation for corruption.

Li Lanxue was found to have engaged in unethical practices, including accepting lavish banquets, misuse of public vehicles, using his influence for personal gains, receiving bribes, and other misconducts.

Li Lanxue was expelled from the CCP, had his retirement benefits revoked, and is facing prosecution for corruption.

Public records show that Li Lanxue, born in May 1958, joined the CCP in 1982. He worked in various customs offices before his tenure at Gongbei Customs in 2014.

Gongbei Customs, formerly known as “Gongbei Customs” established on April 2, 1887, was upgraded to a Level 1 customs office in 1984, with jurisdiction over Zhuhai and Zhongshan cities. It has 11 first-class ports of entry, 7 former second-class ports, and 2 mid-term monitoring stations.

Mainland netizens have expressed concerns regarding the consecutive downfall of three Gongbei Customs Chiefs, viewing it as a pattern of corruption. The position of Customs Chief is perceived as having substantial power and lucrative opportunities. It is speculated that further investigations may reveal more officials involved in similar misconduct beyond the three Chiefs already implicated.