China prosecutes former Central South University president Zhang Yaoxue on bribery charges

Former Central South University president Zhang Yaoxue has been formally prosecuted on bribery charges after Chinese anti-graft authorities investigated allegations that he abused his positions in the education sector to secure benefits for others in exchange for money and valuables.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) announced the prosecution on Tuesday, stating that Zhang allegedly used his former positions at the Ministry of Education and Central South University to obtain benefits for others and illegally accepted an especially large amount of money and valuables in return.

Prosecutors said the alleged conduct warrants criminal liability for bribery. The indictment covers positions Zhang held at the ministry, including deputy director and director of its Department of Science and Technology, director of the Department of Higher Education, and director of the Department of Degree Management and Postgraduate Education.

His tenure as president of Central South University was also cited in connection with the allegations.

The National Commission of Supervision investigated the case before transferring it to prosecutors for review and prosecution.

The SPP subsequently approved Zhang's arrest on suspicion of bribery and designated the Anqing People's Procuratorate in Anhui province to handle the proceedings.

The Anqing procuratorate has now filed an indictment against Zhang with the Anqing Intermediate People's Court, according to the SPP. The case will proceed through the judicial system as the court considers the charges.

During the review and prosecution process, prosecutors informed Zhang of his procedural rights, questioned him and heard the views of his defense counsel, the SPP said.

Zhang, 70, is a native of Hunan province. He began working in 1976 and joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1987. Before entering government service, he taught at Tsinghua University.

He joined the Ministry of Education in 1999 and subsequently held several senior administrative positions. In 2007, he was elected a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, recognizing his standing in the country's engineering and academic community.

From June 2009 to October 2011, Zhang served as director of the Office of the State Council Academic Degrees Committee and director of the Ministry of Education's Department of Degree Management and Postgraduate Education. He later became president of Central South University.

Zhang came under investigation in October 2025. In May 2026, authorities expelled him from the CPC and dismissed him from public office as part of disciplinary action against him.

At the time, anti-graft authorities alleged that Zhang had used his positions to secure benefits for others in personnel appointments and the awarding of academic titles and honors.

He was also accused of accepting money and valuables in return, conduct authorities said had contributed to misconduct and corruption in academia.

The disciplinary action extended to his academic standing. In May 2026, the Chinese Academy of Engineering revoked Zhang's membership following the decision against him.

The prosecution marks a further stage in the case against the former university president, moving the allegations from the disciplinary and investigation process to criminal proceedings.