BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Fang Hongwei, former secretary of the Xi'an Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has been expelled from the CPC and dismissed from public office for serious violations of Party discipline and laws, an official statement said on Tuesday.
In a joint statement, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision stated that the decision was made following an investigation into Fang's case, conducted with the approval of the CPC Central Committee.
Fang, also formerly a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, was found to have lost his ideals and convictions and violated the eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct by improperly accepting banquets and travel arrangements.
Investigators said Fang illegally held shares in unlisted companies, used his authority and official influence to seek benefits for relatives, and condoned or acquiesced in his spouse's use of his position to pursue personal gain.
He was further accused of exploiting his position to seek benefits for others in areas including the contracting of construction projects and the selection and appointment of officials, while illegally accepting huge sums of money and valuables in return.
His illicit gains will be confiscated, and his case transferred to prosecuting agencies for examination and prosecution in accordance with the law, the statement added. ■
