Economic Observer Online
Sept 12, 2012
Translated by Tang Xiangyang
Original article: [Chinese]

Sun Xianze (孙咸泽), an official punished for the 2008 Sanlu (三鹿) milk power scandal that killed six infants and sickened an estimated 300,000, has been promoted to deputy president of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).

Born in Jiangsu Province, Sun got a degree from China Pharmaceutical University and once worked in Chengdu City as a pharmaceutical engineer. He was later promoted to deputy director of the provincial food and drug administration. He has been working for the SFDA since 2003.

In 2009, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party and the Ministry of Supervision decided to punish those responsible for the Sanlu milk powder scandel.  As director of the Safety Coordination Department under the SFDA, Sun Xianze was given a demerit.  

According to the Administrative Regulation on the Punishment of Civil Servants (行政机关公务员处分条例), the span for a demerit record is 12 months. During the demerit period the person can't be promoted. However, when the punishment period expires, his salary, position and rank can be lifted.