Former vice-governor of Anhui expelled

Chen Shulong, former vice-governor of Anhui province, has been removed from public posts and expelled from the Communist Party of China after a corruption probe.

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China's top anti-graft authority, issued a statement on Tuesday saying that "Chen has long used his public posts to profit from engaging in businesses, and has reaped huge gains".

"Chen has seriously violated political discipline and rules, has no political faith and has held a distorted worldview," the statement said.

Chen, 54, a native of Anhui, began his career in the provincial government in his 20s after being an instructor at Anhui University of Finance and Economics for a couple of years.

Chen held senior positions in a leading government bonds company, as well as securities and trust companies, from 1993 to 2002.

He served as deputy mayor of the provincial capital of Hefei from September 2002 to December 2003. Later, he held several senior posts in Wuhu until he became secretary-general of the provincial government in October 2011.

Chen was vice-governor of the province from June 2012 to November 2016.

According to a news report from The Paper, Chen embezzled a large amount of public funds and lent the money to his old friends in the business sector. His friends profited from the capital market with the public money and rewarded Chen.

The CCDI said that not only had Chen refused to cooperate in the Party's investigation, he had engaged in superstitious activities on numerous occasions, used public funds for his own recreational activities and falsified personal information submitted to the Party.

Chen allegedly traded power for sex and money, and crossed the moral bottom line, and also connived with relatives, allowing them to use his influence to seek "huge profits" for themselves.

Chen clung to political power, was insatiable for economic benefit, and was morally bankrupt, the statement said, adding that even after the 18th CPC National Congress, he still showed no restraint and his wrongdoings were grave.

Xinhua contributed to this story.