CCTV suspends economic awards ceremony for first time

China Central Television's Economic Person of the Year awards ceremony, which has been held annually for the past 14 years, will not take place this year.

The Chinese portal website NetEase quoted an anonymous source from CCTV as confirming the news and hinting that the cancellation was a direct result of the government fight against media corruption, highlighted by the investigation of Guo Zhenxi, the former director of CCTV's finance and economics channel. However, another source at CCTV denied that the corruption case was the reason.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate announced on June 1 that Guo had been detained and was being investigated on suspicion of taking bribes. In addition, Rui Chenggang, a star anchor of business news for CCTV, was found to be running a public relations company with his family, with his interviewees comprising most of the company's clients.

NetEase quoted another anonymous source from the channel as saying that the canceled awards ceremony has nothing to do with the scandals.

"According to CCTV's plan, this award ceremony is postponed to later next year, probably after the two sessions," the source said, referring to the annual gatherings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

"However, we don't have a specific time yet" for a rescheduled ceremony, the CCTV employee added.

"This year, our channel has added more programs. We are short-handed right now. That's the reason we postponed this awards show."

CCTV touts the show as the "economic Oscars". Since 2000, the awards show has been held for 14 years, during which more than 100 economic persons of the year have been recognized. The channel prepares for the awards show every August and presents it in mid-December.

Business icons who have won the award include Jack Ma and Wu Jinglian.

CCTV selects 10 economic persons of the year to recognize entrepreneurs, politicians and scholars who have positively helped economic development and social progress. It also has a separate award for those who are devoted to public interest activities such as environmental protection.

However, the scandals have triggered many disputes about the channel as well as the awards.

The second day after Guo's case became public, the media reported on his alleged abuse of power. The media said Guo has great influence on two important awards in the economic field, which made it possible for him to pocket money from companies.

The two important awards are Economic Person of the Year as well as the 315 Evening Gala Program, which exposes business misconduct each year on March 15 - World Consumer Rights Day.