Cao Jianfang (Chinese: 曹建方; born February 1966) is a former Chinese politician who spent the majority of his career in the Tibet Autonomous Region. He is currently under investigation for alleged serious violations of discipline and law.
Career
Cao Jianfang held several prominent positions within the government and party apparatus of the Tibet Autonomous Region:
- Early Career: He served in various roles in the Tibet Autonomous Region Department of Finance, eventually becoming Director of the Treasury Department and later Deputy Director-General of the Department of Finance.
- Vice Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Government: He served as Vice Chairman from January 2013 to January 2018.
- Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Congress: He assumed this role in January 2018 and held the position until his removal in 2024.
- Party Roles: He was a member of the Standing Committee of the 9th and 10th Party Committees of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Investigation and Downfall
- February 2024: The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Commission of Supervision announced that Cao Jianfang was suspected of "serious violations of discipline and law" (a standard euphemism for corruption) and was undergoing disciplinary review and supervisory investigation.
- June 2024: State media reported that he had been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removed from public office. The investigation concluded that he had violated political discipline, accepted bribes, abused power for personal gain, and engaged in irregularities in personnel appointments, among other charges.
- Judicial Proceedings: Following the conclusion of the internal party investigation, his case was transferred to judicial organs for prosecution. As of late 2024, the judicial process was ongoing.
