According to reports in the South China Morning Post, the Chinese government has accepted Ma’s resignation.
The paper quoted unidentified sources who say Ma was given the opportunity to resign rather than be sacked due to his contribution to China’s oil and gas sector.
The Post went on to say Ma would be replaced by his deputy president (and PetroChina president) Chen Geng.
The blast, which occurred on 23 December at the PetroChina-owned site, released a toxic cloud of hydrogen sulphide which killed the 243 and forced the evacuation of more than 60,000 villagers from the Chongqing municipality of Kai County.
