Officials punished for 'black' taxi services

More than 100 officials are being investigated in Heilongjiang province and punished for their involvement in illegal taxi services, the Harbin Commission for Discipline Inspection announced on Monday.

In recent months, an inspection team that also included prosecutors, public security officers and transport officials intensified efforts to crack down on illegal taxi services in Harbin, the provincial capital.

After checking 16,800 cars, the team seized 214 illegal taxis and broke up seven gangs. During the investigation, a series of discipline violations emerged, including abuse of power, taking bribes, regulatory inaction and illegal enforcement.