1st Ld: Ling Jihua expelled from CPC, to face justice

Ling Jihua has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removed from public office, according to a decision made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Monday.

The meeting also decided to transfer the suspected criminal case of Ling, former vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, and relevant clues to judicial organs for handling in accordance with the law.

Investigations found Ling seriously violated the political discipline and rules of the CPC, as well as the Party's organizational and confidentiality discipline. He took advantage of his posts to seek profit for others and accepted huge bribes personally and through his family, according to a statement released late Monday after the meeting.

Ling also obtained a great deal of the Party and state's core secrets in violation of laws and discipline. Ling violated regulations on integrity and self-discipline, accepting others' money and belongings personally and through his wife, and sought benefits for his wife's businesses.

The statement added that Ling committed adultery with a number of women and traded his power for sex. He should bear major responsibility for his family members' acts of seeking profits with the influence of his position.

Investigation also found clues showing that Ling may have engaged in other criminal offenses.

Ling's acts completely deviated from the CPC's nature and purpose, seriously violated the Party's discipline and severely undermined the Party's image, with extremely bad social influence, the statement said. Endi