Xiao Jie, 66, who led the building of reefs and managed Sansha city in the South China Sea, is under a corruption investigation. Xiao was the first Communist Party chief and mayor of Sansha, overseeing territories like the Spratly and Paracel Islands since 2012. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) accused him of "serious violations of discipline and law," a phrase commonly used for corruption cases. Xiao’s detention has shocked officials in Hainan province due to his high profile and trusted status. Typically, the party chief and mayor roles in Chinese politics balance each other. Xiao combined these roles in Sansha, showing strong local trust. During his nearly five years in charge, he was known for land reclamation, reef building, and improving facilities for military and civilians. The Hainan Daily called his tenure the peak of his career, noting he turned Sansha into a strategic South China Sea point. Xiao was also active in research trips to islands and pushed environmental protection policies.