BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Zhou Zheng, a former deputy general manager of China's biggest food trader COFCO, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) over serious violations of discipline and law, authorities said on Thursday.
The decision followed 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 a statement by the CCDI and NCS.
Zhou previously also served as a member of the leading Party members' group of COFCO.
The investigation found that Zhou had lost his ideals and conviction and was disloyal to the Party, the statement said.
Failing to abide by the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct, he used public funds to hold banquets, and purchase and give out consumer cards.
Zhou sought benefits for others and accepted money and gifts in employee recruitment and job promotion, the statement said.
He was also found to have interfered in market economic activities and traded power for money, among other misdeeds.
According to the statement, Zhou's actions constituted severe breaches of party discipline and serious duty-related violations, with suspected crimes of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power.
Zhou's illicit gains will be confiscated, and the case will be transferred to the procuratorial authorities for examination and prosecution in accordance with the law, the statement said. ■
