Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200810/20081024/article_378019.htm
Official mysteriously refuses to return home
Created: 2008-10-24 1:07:38
A MUNICIPAL official from eastern China's Zhejiang Province has overstayed about 20 days on a visit to Europe, prompting speculation that he has fled, fearing corruption charges.
Yang Xianghong, party secretary of Lucheng District in Wenzhou City, departed on September 19 on a 12-day tour of Europe. He left the delegation just before the return trip, apparently to visit his daughter in France, said a Wenzhou government official.
Later he claimed he had to stay in France for medical treatment. Yang then sent a resignation letter to the municipal Party committee, saying that his back pain was severe and the work pressure was too much for him to handle, according to the source.
The municipal government demanded his return. Yang refused.
The 52-year-old was promoted last year to be a standing member of Wenzhou municipal Party committee.
He had surgery in April 2007 because of recurring back problems, sources told Xinhua. Since last year, Yang had been telling colleagues that he wanted to step down because of his health, and had claimed "there were some people against him."
His overstay in France has sparked speculation that he has fled because of potential corruption charges.
Yang Xianghong, party secretary of Lucheng District in Wenzhou City, departed on September 19 on a 12-day tour of Europe. He left the delegation just before the return trip, apparently to visit his daughter in France, said a Wenzhou government official.
Later he claimed he had to stay in France for medical treatment. Yang then sent a resignation letter to the municipal Party committee, saying that his back pain was severe and the work pressure was too much for him to handle, according to the source.
The municipal government demanded his return. Yang refused.
The 52-year-old was promoted last year to be a standing member of Wenzhou municipal Party committee.
He had surgery in April 2007 because of recurring back problems, sources told Xinhua. Since last year, Yang had been telling colleagues that he wanted to step down because of his health, and had claimed "there were some people against him."
His overstay in France has sparked speculation that he has fled because of potential corruption charges.
Xinhua
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