Vietnam fires party chief of APEC host city over misconduct

HANOI - 6 Oct 2017: Vietnam's ruling Communist Party on Friday fired a top official in the central city of Danang, which is preparing to host world leaders at an Asia-Pacific summit next month, the party's watchdog said.

Punishment of senior officials ahead of major events is unusual in the southeast Asian nation and points to a tougher stance against corruption since the security establishment gained greater influence in the party last year.

In the latest step in a nationwide corruption crackdown, the party's central committee stripped the high-flying Nguyen Xuan Anh of his committee membership and his role as party chief of Danang.

He was held responsible for "defects" in Danang's party committee and accused of "serious violations" in organising party activities, among other instances of misconduct, the party's Central Inspection Committee said on its website.

Reuters could not reach the Danang party offices outside office hours to seek Anh's comment.

The party earlier found Anh had received and used cars and houses provided by companies. He was also accused of dishonesty, incorrect declarations on qualification certificates and personnel appointments that damaged party solidarity.

The committee also held Huynh Duc Tho, the chairman of the Danang city people's committee, responsible for land management and human resources violations. Tho received a warning, the party inspection committee said last week.

The tourist city of Danang is expected to host world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin at the November summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping.

But APEC preparations will not be disrupted by the penalties levied against Danang officials, said government official Mai Tien Dung.