TWO former officials, Yang Xihuai and Li Jianhua, were expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office over serious violations of discipline and laws, according to a statement by the top anti-graft body Tuesday.

Yang, former deputy secretary of the Liaoning Provincial discipline inspection commission and vice director of the provincial supervisory commission, is being investigated by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission, said the CCDI statement.

The probe found that Yang failed to perform his duty correctly, leaked work-related secrets, accepted banquet invitations that might have resulted in unfairness in the fulfillment of duties and interfered in judicial activities, the statement said.

“Yang lost his commitment to Party principles, took advantage of his posts to do favors for others and sought personal benefits. He showed no sign of restraint even after the 18th CPC National Congress. Yang should be harshly punished,” the statement said.

Li Jianhua is a former senior legislator in Northwest China’s Gansu Province.

The CCDI and the National Supervisory Commission conducted an investigation into Li, who is also the former deputy Party secretary and the vice chairman of the Standing Committee of Gansu Provincial People’s Congress.

The probe found that Li accepted banquet invitations that might have resulted in unfairness in his fulfillment of duties.

Li refused to tell the truth when responding to the supervisor’s inquiry and interfered in the selection and appointment of officials, according to the statement.

Li was also found to have accepted gifts and money, taken advantage of his positions to seek personal benefits and engaged in sex trade.

(Xinhua)