Hunan senior official expelled after graft charges

A former senior official in Central China's Hunan province has been expelled from the Communist Party of China for corrupt activities, according to the country's top anti-graft watchdog.

Yang Baohua, former vice-chairman of the political advisory body of Hunan province, received the punishment after allegations he accepted a huge amount in bribes, sought profits for others by misusing his power and committed adultery, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Yang's behavior gravely violated Party discipline and the law, and he has been handed over to judicial authorities for further investigation and prosecution, the statement said.

Yang, 67, is the eldest of the 17 senior provincial-level officials who have been investigated so far this year. The CCDI started to investigate Yang on May 26.

The CCDI also accused at least five more senior officials of adultery. The named officials are: Yu Gang, former deputy director of the general office of the Party's top judicial authority; Yang Gang, former deputy director of the economic committee of the country's top political advisory body; Ji Wenlin, former vice-governor of Hainan province; Xu Jie, former deputy director of the State Bureau of Letters and Calls; and Dai Chunning, former deputy general manager with China Export and Credit Insurance Corp.