Photo: a screenshot from video circulating on Sina Weibo

After an investigation that lasted roughly a month, the controversial "street photo" incident has come to an end. On Friday, a subsidiary company under the state-owned giant China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) announced that it had decided to expel Hu Jiyong, former manager of the Huanqiu project management company, from the Communist Party of China and removed him from positions in public office after he was found to be in an extramarital affair with a female subordinate, violating Party principles.

The company also terminated its contract with the female subordinate, surnamed Dong, according to the announcement.

The announcement was the result of an investigation that began on June 7 amid controversy shortly after street photos and videos went viral on Chinese social media platforms showing Hu and Dong walking hand in hand on Chunxi road in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Netizens familiar with Hu pointed out that he was an official from a state-owned company and the woman he was walking with was neither his wife nor his daughter.

The investigation showed that Hu had misconducted during his marriage. He also violated integrity discipline by changing his official schedule and using the opportunity to travel, read the announcement, noting that the company had not found other problems with Hu and Dong, as suspected by some netizens.

Some netizens have asked whether Hu had been involved in corruption or used his authority to help Dong obtain promotions or other job benefits.

In view of the two people's disregard and violations of discipline and regulations, the company's Party committee decided to expel Hu from the Party and dismiss him from public office in accordance to related laws, and to terminate the labor contract with Dong according to the company's employee violations and other relevant regulations, read the announcement.

The company reiterates that it will continue to uphold discipline and combat corruption, effectively strengthen the construction of working style and education and management of officials and employees, and adhere to "zero tolerance" for unethical behaviors and discipline violations. Once verified, they will be dealt with in strict accordance with regulations and discipline, the company said in the announcement.

Global Times