CPC expels former Hebei official

BEIJING - Zhang Yue, a former standing committee member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) committee in north China's Hebei Province, has been expelled from the Party and removed from public office.

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced on Thursday that Zhang, also former head of the commission for political and legal affairs of the CPC Hebei committee, was found to have been involved in corruption and violated the Party's frugality code.

The CCDI carried out an investigation into Zhang's case upon approval of the CPC Central Committee.

The probe found that Zhang was absent without official leave during important missions, violating the Party's political code of conduct and political rules.

He also practiced "superstitious" activities and was found to have resisted the Party's investigation, the CCDI statement said.

The investigation found that Zhang sought benefits for others in promoting and selecting officials and used public funds on extravagant banquets.

He attended banquets, played golf and accepted gifts and money in violation of the Party's clean-governance rules.

Zhang was also involved in trading power and money for sex and interfered in construction projects and judical activities, the CCDI said.

The CCDI further accused Zhang of "extravagance and hedonism."

The statement said that as a senior official of the CPC, Zhang had lost his beliefs, seriously violated the Party's code of conduct and did not end his inappropriate behavior after the CPC 18th National Congress.

The CPC Central Committee has approved his expulsion from the Party and removal from office. His illegal gains should be confiscated and the case should be transferred to judicial organs for investigation into his alleged crimes.