Former deputy chief of China's State Tobacco Monopoly Administration expelled from CPC

BEIJING -- Zhang Tianfeng, former deputy chief of China's State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) due to serious discipline and law violations, according to an official statement issued on Monday.

The decision was made following an investigation by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Commission of Supervision (NCS) upon the approval of the CPC Central Committee, according to the statement by the CCDI and NCS.

The statement said that Zhang had lost his ideals and convictions, and refused to cooperate in the investigation of his case.

The investigation found that Zhang had ignored the Party's eight-point rules, giving monetary gifts in violation of relevant regulations. He was also found to have accepted banquets that could influence the impartial execution of official duties.

He had violated organizational principles by seeking benefits for others in personnel selection and appointment processes, and accepted valuables in return.

Moreover, Zhang abused his power and other public resources for personal gain, exploiting his power within the tobacco sector to engage in power-for-money trades, taking advantage of his positions to benefit others in project contracting and personnel promotions, and illegally accepting vast sums of money and gifts in return, the statement said.

The statement noted that Zhang is suspected of bribery. His illicit gains will be confiscated, and the case will be transferred to procuratorial authorities for examination and prosecution in accordance with the law.