Former senior official expelled

Liu Zhigeng, the former deputy governor of Guangdong province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from public posts for multiple alleged violations, including graft and "engaging in superstitious activities".

Liu, 59, who had been a member of the standing committee of the Guangdong provincial Party Committee, was said to have breached "political discipline", "obstructed disciplinary investigations", "traded power for sex" and used his position for economic profit, in addition to facing several other charges, according to a statement by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China's top anti-graft body.

The commission said he conspired with relatives and got them to use his name to seek profit for themselves. The statement also said he squandered public assets.