Former chair of China National Petroleum expelled from Party

Wang Yilin, former Party chief and chairman of China National Petroleum Corp, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China for severely violating Party disciplines and allegedly breaking laws, China's top anti-corruption watchdog said on Wednesday.

The removal was disclosed by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC on its website. The watchdog also said prosecutors are investigating Wang's alleged crimes, which include bribery.

A preliminary investigation found that Wang betrayed the Party's ideals and beliefs. He is accused of accepting travels and gifts provided by private business owners, according to a statement of the CCDI.

He is also accused of using his position as CNP chair to benefit others in various areas, including securing job promotions and contracts for projects, and receiving a number of bribes in return, the statement said.

"Wang's behavior has seriously violated the Party's political, organizational, integrity and life disciplines, bringing great negative effects, so we decided to harshly punish him by removing him from the Party," the statement said.