In the intricate tapestry of China’s anti-corruption efforts, the medical and health field emerges as a battleground where triumphs and challenges coexist. Amidst the success stories, a gripping saga unfolds as we delve into the astonishing inside story of Wang Xingpeng, a figure who not only evaded the clutches of justice but also orchestrated a monopoly over Shanghai’s billion-dollar medical infrastructure projects.
Wang Xingpeng, born in March 1965, assumed the role of the director of the Development Center at Shanghai Shenkang Hospital in 2018. What transpired in the following years was a meticulously crafted scheme, where Wang leveraged his position to appoint a network of cronies, systematically monopolizing major medical and health infrastructure projects in Shanghai. These projects, ostensibly aimed at improving the municipal healthcare system, became a means for Wang to amass considerable wealth.
The audacity of Wang’s actions reached new heights as he strategically placed his underlings in key positions across various hospitals. One such pawn was Gu Xiangdong, who, under Wang’s guidance, ascended to the role of infrastructure department head at Shanghai First People’s Hospital. Gu played a pivotal role in overseeing projects worth hundreds of millions, including hospital extensions and equipment procurements.
Wang’s chess game continued as he transitioned to the position of general leader at Shenkang Hospital Center in 2018. Gu Xiangdong followed suit, becoming the vice-director of Shanghai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where he was entrusted with a colossal 2 billion RMB Jiading sub-hospital project. This marked the beginning of a trend where Wang’s subordinates were strategically positioned to control significant portions of Shanghai’s medical infrastructure landscape.
The sheer scale of Wang’s influence becomes evident when examining three years of Shanghai’s new medical infrastructure projects. Ten projects, including the construction of hospitals in five new cities, collectively spanned thousands of square meters, with a staggering capital investment of nearly 20 billion RMB. This was just a fraction of Wang’s grand design, a profit chain that extended far beyond the public eye.
Wang’s web of corruption expanded further, enveloping key figures like Wu Jinhua and Yang Xinchao. Wu, once a vice director at Shanghai First People’s Hospital overseeing medical and health infrastructure, was elevated to the role of general leader at Shanghai Chest Hospital in 2022. Subsequently, in June 2023, the Tangzhen sub-hospital commenced operations, funded by a government expenditure of 2.5 billion RMB.
Similarly, Wang orchestrated the ascent of Yang Xinchao to the position of general leader at Shanghai First Maternal and Infant Health Hospital in 2019. The following year saw the initiation of the hospital’s Tumor and Science & Education Comprehensive Building projects, with government spending nearing 1 billion RMB. These instances shed light on the pervasive nature of Wang’s influence in Shanghai’s medical landscape.
In 2020, Wang turned his attention to Zhong Liwei, facilitating his rise to the directorship of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Simultaneously, the Jiading sub-hospital commenced construction with a government investment exceeding 2 billion RMB. The intricate network orchestrated by Wang, a tapestry woven with corruption and malfeasance, continued to grow, ensnaring more institutions in its grasp.
The year 2023 witnessed another move in Wang’s chess game as he appointed Shen Bing, formerly the principal of Shenkang Hospital Development Center Medical Department, as the director of Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital. Shen Bing was tasked with overseeing the planning of a 1.2 billion RMB hospital new building, further solidifying Wang’s influence in the medical infrastructure domain.
The published information on the website of Shanghai ShenKang Hospital Development Center reveals a staggering organizational effort. From the Tenth Five-Year Plan to the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan, the center implemented 135 medical and health infrastructure projects, adding approximately 7.97 million square meters to the total area. The government expenditure associated with these projects surpassed hundreds of billions of RMB, emphasizing the scope of Wang’s influence.
Wang Xingpeng’s cunning strategies, exploitation of system loopholes, and manipulation of the market economy have shielded him from the repercussions of his actions. The narrative presented here is just the tip of the iceberg, a glimpse into the extensive corruption within Shanghai’s medical and health industry. Wang’s ability to navigate the intricacies of rules and oversight blind spots underscores the challenges faced in eradicating corruption from the Chinese mainland’s medical sector.
As the saying goes, “Greed is one of the deadliest diseases of mankind; it destroys a person’s soul.” The words of Mahatma Gandhi echo with haunting relevance in the context of Wang Xingpeng’s unchecked avarice. While significant strides have been made in anti-corruption efforts, Wang’s elusive escapade serves as a stark reminder that there is still a long way to go in purging the medical and health field of black sheep. The hope remains that the determination and capabilities of the Shanghai municipal government, as a global economic powerhouse, will penetrate the depths of the anti-corruption zone, bringing escapees like Wang Xingpeng to trial and dismantling the chains of corrupt interests.