China’s anti-corruption police are investigating Dalian Ocean Fishery Group Corp., one of the country’s largest fishing companies and processors, in a move that highlights the presence of government in China’s large-scale fisheries firms.
A seafood giant that engages in pelagic fishing as well as purchasing, processing and sales of “oceanic” aquatic products, Liaoning Province Dalian Ocean Fishery Group Corp was founded in 1945 and is often known as the Liaoyu Group. Fully state-owned, Liaoyu spent its early years catching and processing pelagics for the export market, but in a wealthier China the firm is increasingly seeking to import higher-value seafood for the domestic market.
A team of inspectors from the regional disciplinary wing of the Chinese Communist Party arrived at the Dalian offices of Liaoyu on 30 May and will spend a month and a half there, according to a company statement. Liaoyu operates numerous processing factories and subsidiaries in the port city of Dalian, with a large trawler fleet operating worldwide. It supplies several large European retailers.
Inspection visits by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party have become common at state-owned companies and government departments recently, with some probes resulting in the prosecution of top officials for corruption.
As with other state-owned firms, Liaoyu is overseen by a chief executive as well as a Communist Party secretary, who has a major say in company policy and personnel matters.
Liaoyu senior staff will be assessed for discipline and “party spirit,” according to a company statement. The statement also noted party officials should be “pure and clean” – per the directive of Chinese President Xi Jinping– and must not be found to have used their positions for gain. That includes offenses including taking bribes, selling public jobs (cash for appointments), and “taking arbitrary actions.”
