NFRA vice-minister under investigation

Zhou Liang, vice-minister of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, is under investigation for suspected violations of Party discipline and national laws, China's top anti-corruption watchdogs announced on Tuesday. The announcement was posted online by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision. No further details were provided. Public records show Zhou, 54, is a native of Hunan province. He joined the CPC in January 1995 and began his career in July 1996. After obtaining a degree in economics, Zhou worked in several key institutions, including the Guangdong provincial government, the State Council, the Hainan provincial Party committee, the Beijing municipal government, and the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. In late 2017, he was appointed vice-chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission. The agency was merged with the China Insurance Regulatory Commission in 2018 to form the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission. In March 2018, Zhou became vice-chairman of the newly formed commission. Since May 2023, he has served in the National Financial Regulatory Administration.

Air China launches two routes to Brussels

Chinese carrier Air China launched a direct passenger service between Brussels and Beijing, on Tuesday, and will launch another between Brussels and Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Thursday, adding new air links between Belgium and China. The airline held simultaneous inaugural ceremonies at Beijing Capital International Airport and in Chengdu, marking the opening of the two routes as part of its global network optimization. The Brussels to Beijing service will operate daily while the Brussels to Chengdu route will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, the airline said. The launch comes as China's civil aviation sector prepares for the seasonal timetable adjustment, a key period when airlines typically add or restore international routes to meet rising travel demand. With the two new routes, Air China will serve 23 European destinations, further strengthening links between Asia and Europe. The airline said the added capacity will facilitate passenger travel, business exchanges and cultural ties. Officials at the launch ceremonies said the new routes will reinforce Beijing and Chengdu's roles as major international aviation hubs and support China's broader push for high-level opening-up. Brussels, home to key European Union institutions, is widely seen as a strategic gateway for China-Europe connectivity. Adding Chengdu alongside Beijing highlights the growing importance of western China in international air links.

China Daily