TheXishan Society (simplified Chinese:西山会;traditional Chinese:西山會;pinyin:Xīshān Huì;lit. 'Western Hills Meeting') was an association consisting of prominent politicians fromShanxi province in China. The group was formed sometime around 2007, and was described as a "loose alliance" between officials and businesspeople, and allegedly operated somewhat like asecret society. The society is discussed at length inDatieji (打铁记 "Fighting Iron"), a book by journalistLuo Changping (罗昌平) about the investigation into former economic officialLiu Tienan.[1]
The group was said to have consisted of full and alternate members of theCentral Committee of the Chinese Communist Party who had roots or were otherwise associated with Shanxi province, and select wealthy businesspeople. They were said to have met once every three months in the Western Hills of Beijing (henceXishan).[2] The name "Xishan" is also the characters of "Shanxi" in reverse order. Members are taken to the site of the meetings by luxury vehicles, and must surrender their mobile phones. Secretaries and romantic partners were not allowed at the meeting sites.[1]
As the organization did not have a formal charter nor any known written records, there have been suggestions that the reports about the group have been exaggerated, or that it is a fairly routine gathering of friends with similar interests.[3] Nevertheless,Datieji asserted that membership in the society was a sure "ticket to high office," and alleged that Liu Tienan had used the network to gain his promotions.[1]
The following people have been named in Chinese-language media reports but not independently verified.[4]
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