Zhou Derui


Zhou Derui is a former Chinese politician. As of March 2025 he was under investigation by China's top anti-graft watchdog.
He was a delegate to the 13th National People's Congress. He was a representative of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.

Early life and education

Zhou was born in Qidong County, Hunan, in February 1966. In 1983, he enrolled at Hunan Normal University, where he majored in politics. In 1987 he went on to attend Tsinghua University, where he received his master's degree in law.

Career in Hunan

Zhou began his political career in December 1989, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in December 1991. He was an official in Lingling Prefecture from 1989 to 1992. Starting in July 1992, he served in several posts in Hunan Provincial Office of Economic and Technological Cooperation, including deputy principal staff member and principal staff member. In September 2000, he moved to Hunan Provincial Land and Resources Department, where he successively served as director of General Office, director of Finance Division, and deputy inspector.
Zhou was appointed head of the Organization Department of the CCP Yongzhou Municipal Committee in October 2006 and was admitted to standing committee member of the CCP Yongzhou Municipal Committee, the city's top authority. He was made vice mayor in November 2010.
Zhou became deputy party secretary of Changde in March 2013, concurrently serving as mayor since May of the same year. He was party secretary, the top political position in the city, beginning in June 2017. He also served as chairman of the Changde Municipal People's Congress from December 2017 to March 2021.

Career in Tianjin

In March 2021, Zhou was transferred to north China's Tianjin municipality and appointed vice mayor. Six months later, he concurrently served as head of the Publicity Department of the CCP Tianjin Municipal Committee and was admitted to standing committee member of the CCP Tianjin Municipal Committee, the municipality's top authority. In June 2022, he was chosen as head of the Organization Department of the CCP Tianjin Municipal Committee, and held that office until March 2025.

Investigation

On 13 March 2025, Zhou was put under investigation for alleged "serious violations of discipline and laws" by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the party's internal disciplinary body, and the National Supervisory Commission, the highest anti-corruption agency of China. On September 4, he was expelled from the CCP and dismissed from public office.