Li Lianyu

Li Lianyu (born December 1959) is a Chinese politician who spent most of his career in Jiangsu province. Through his career he successively served as the Communist Party Secretary of the county-level city of Pizhou, the Vice-Mayor of Xuzhou, and Deputy Party Secretary of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, in Xinjiang. He was removed from office in September 2014, and was investigated by the Communist Party of China's anti-graft agency in November 2014.

Li was known nationally for the massive "red carpet reception" held for him when he returned to his hometown after attending the 17th Party Congress in 2007. Thousands of locals lined the city's streets to receive the Secretary. The event drew significant ridicule and criticism for its unnecessary extravagance and what seemed to be a local cult of personality.

Early career

Li was born and raised in Feng County, Jiangsu. Li began his political career in August 1975, and joined the Communist Party of China in February 1985.

In August 1975, Li was appointed as an official in Xuzhou Coal Mining Bureau and over a period of eight years worked his way up to the position of Deputy Secretary of the Communist Youth League of Feng County. He then spent six years serving in various political roles at the Organization Department of CPC Feng County Committee, before serving as CPC Party Chief of Dahe Town.