An investigation team in Ningxia has released findings regarding irregularities in the leadership election process of the Ningxia Restaurant and Catering Association. The probe focused on issues including the appointment of an excessive number of individuals to leadership positions.

Regarding the issue of the association "excessively appointing 89 leaders," the investigation confirmed that the association had 365 members during its election period. On April 15, 2025, the association held its third membership congress, electing 83 individuals to leadership roles. Subsequently, on January 9, 2026, a second membership meeting was held, where an additional 8 vice presidents were elected (with one vice president's name listed twice). In total, 90 leaders were appointed, including 1 president, 1 secretary-general, 10 executive vice presidents, 74 vice presidents, and 4 special vice presidents. This violates regulations stipulating that the total number of leaders should not exceed 40 and must be an odd number, confirming the overstaffing violation.

Concerning the association's "management chaos," the investigation found that the association held two preparatory meetings for the leadership transition on December 24, 2024, and February 8, 2025, without a formal election plan. The third membership congress on April 15, 2025, was conducted without verifying member qualifications, publishing a membership roster, selecting member representatives, preparing ballot boxes, or printing ballots. Instead, a show of hands was used instead of a secret ballot to elect 281 directors, 181 executive directors, 83 leaders, and 2 supervisors, with one supervisor also serving as an executive vice president. This process violated multiple procedural rules. The subsequent meeting on January 9, 2026, improperly added vice presidents without prior notification or submission of required review materials to regulatory authorities. The investigation also found that the association failed to update its charter and establish proper internal management systems for membership, seals, information disclosure, and financial controls, confirming significant internal management disorder.

The investigation also identified inadequate oversight by the responsible regulatory departments, the Autonomous Region Department of Commerce and the Department of Civil Affairs, which failed to detect and prevent these violations.

The following actions have been taken: The election results have been declared invalid by the Department of Civil Affairs as of January 17, 2026, due to procedural breaches. An administrative penalty has been imposed on the association, effective February 12, 2026, requiring a three-month suspension of activities during which its registration certificate, seals, and financial documents will be sealed. A committee has been established to guide the association in revising its charter, developing a proper election plan, and conducting a new election in full compliance with regulations. The association has been ordered to完善 its internal management systems. Relevant officials from the regulatory departments are facing disciplinary accountability for oversight failures. A comprehensive review and rectification of similar issues across all industry associations in the region is now underway to strengthen routine supervision.