ZHANG ZHINAN, former vice governor of East China’s Fujian Province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office over serious violations of Party discipline and laws, the top anti-graft body announced yesterday.

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission said in a statement that an investigation of Zhang’s case found that he had failed in earnestly implementing the CPC Central Committee’s important decisions in the face of the major test of the COVID-19 pandemic and muddled through his work with a perfunctory work style and the practice of formalities for formalities’ sake.

The statement also criticized Zhang of refusing to cooperate in his investigation, engaging in superstitious activities and failing to report his personal information in accordance with the rules.

The statement said Zhang had violated relevant rules and sought benefits for family members in personnel arrangements and business operations, allowed family members to take advantage of his posts and influence for their own interests, conducted power-for-sex and money-for-sex trades, abused his power and caused huge losses to public assets.

It said Zhang had used his power as an instrument to seek personal gain and had been unscrupulous in conducting power-for-money trades. He had taken advantage of his posts to seek benefits for others regarding land-use approvals, obtaining financial subsidies and applying for bank loans, while accepting huge amounts of money and gifts in return.

Zhang severely violated the Party’s political discipline and rules on frugality, organization, clean governance, work and life, and is suspected of the crimes of taking bribes and abuse of power, according to the statement. (Xinhua)