Former deputy head of China's quality watchdog expelled from CPC

BEIJING -- Wei Chuanzhong, former deputy head of China's quality watchdog, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) for serious violations of Party discipline and laws, the top anti-graft body announced Saturday.

Wei, former deputy director of the now defunct General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, had lost his ideals and convictions, said a statement issued by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission.

An investigation has found that Wei took advantage of his posts to seek benefits for relatives and others in business transactions, personnel promotions and changes, it said.

Disregarding related regulations, Wei invested in non-listed companies and accepted gifts. He was also found to have traded money for sex.

Wei, consorting with some private enterprise owners and using his power and influence to seek benefits for them, had traded power for money unscrupulously. He sought benefits for others in getting industrial production licenses and project biddings, accepting a huge amount of money and gifts, according to the statement.

Wei seriously violated the Party's code of conduct on organization, clean governance, work and life, and showed no signs of restraint even after the 18th CPC National Congress.

It said he is also suspected of crimes of bribe-taking. The suspected crimes will be transferred to the procuratorate for further investigation and prosecution.

His illicit gains should be confiscated and the benefits he enjoys should be cancelled, the statement said.