Zhong Ziran (Chinese: 钟自然; born August 1962) is a former Chinese politician. As of January 2024 he was under investigation by China's top anti-corruption agency. Previously he served as president of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. He is the first senior official to be targeted by China's top anticorruption watchdog in 2024.[1] He was a representative of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.

Zhong Ziran
钟自然
President of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
In office
March 2017 – September 2022
Preceded byMeng Xianlai [zh]
Succeeded byLi Jinfa [zh]
Director of the China Geological Survey
In office
July 2014 – September 2022
Preceded byWang Min [zh]
Succeeded byLi Jinfa [zh]
Personal details
BornAugust 1962 (age 62)
Tongcheng, Anhui, China
Political partyChinese Communist Party
Alma materHefei University of Technology
Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōng Zìrán

Early life and education

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Zhong was born in Tongcheng, Anhui, in August 1962.[2] After resuming the college entrance examination, in 1979, he enrolled at Hefei University of Technology, where he majored in mineral resource prospecting and exploration.[2]

Career

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After graduating in 1983, he became an official of the Chemical Mine Planning and Design Institute of the Ministry of Chemical Industry.[2] He joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in April 1985.[2] Between 1985 and 1991, he received his master's degree and doctor's degree both in mineralogy from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences.[2]

Starting in September 1991, he served in several posts in the Mineral Development Management Bureau of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources [zh], including principal staff member, deputy director of the Legal Division, director of the Legal Division, and eventually deputy director of the bureau.[2]

After a short time as deputy director of the Oil and Gas Resources Management Office of the National Mineral Resources Commission in 1997, he was transferred to the Ministry of Land and Resources in July 1998.[2] He was director of Geological Exploration Department, in addition to serving as president of China Geological Environment Monitoring Institute.[2]

He became deputy director of the China Geological Survey in March 2007, rising to director in July 2014.[2][3] He also served as president of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences since March 2017.

Downfall

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On 2 January 2024, he had been suspended for "suspected serious discipline violations" by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the party's internal disciplinary body, and the National Supervisory Commission, the highest anti-corruption agency of China.[4]

In June 2024, he was expelled from the Party and canceled his entitlements.[5]

On July 9, 2024, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, made a decision to arrest Zhong Nature on suspicion of accepting bribes and intentionally leaking state secrets.[6]

References

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  1. ^ 开年“首虎” 中国地质调查局原局长钟自然被查. zaobao.com.sg (in Chinese). 3 January 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 钟自然兼任中国地质科学院院长,班子人数由4人增加到7人. thepaper (in Chinese). 11 April 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  3. ^ Feng Huamei (冯华妹) (2 January 2024). 新年首“虎” 中国地质调查局原局长钟自然落马. caixin.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Former head of China Geological Survey under probe". 2 January 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  5. ^ "自然资源部原党组成员,中国地质调查局原党组书记、局长钟自然严重违纪违法被开除党籍". www.ccdi.gov.cn (in Chinese). 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  6. ^ "最高人民检察院依法对钟自然决定逮捕". www.news.cn (in Chinese). 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
Government offices
Preceded by
Zhong Zhiwei (仲伟志)
Director of the Geological Exploration Department of the Ministry of Land and Resources
2005–2007
Succeeded by
Liu Lianhe (刘连和)
Preceded by Director of the China Geological Survey
2014–2022
Succeeded by
Academic offices
Preceded by President of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
2017–2022
Succeeded by
TBA
Civic offices
Preceded by President of the Geological Society of China [zh]
2016–2023
Succeeded by
TBA