Arrested on corruption charges, Liu made millions of yuan from his posts. He was unmasked thanks to foreign investigators over bribes relating to the Beijing Olympics.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Beijing's former deputy mayor Liu Zhihua, who was sacked in June for corruption, has been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Mr Liu has also been dismissed from all administrative posts, the CCP’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the announced yesterday. In a bulletin published last Friday, the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress announced that Liu had also been officially dismissed as deputy to the local congress.

The investigation of Liu, conducted by the commission, found he had taken advantage of his posts as deputy mayor and secretary-general of the Beijing municipal government to take several million yuan in bribes and led a “depraved” lifestyle.

Liu was elected deputy mayor in 1999 and oversaw construction, real estate, sports and traffic projects in the capital, including work for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“Hard evidence has showed that Liu seriously violated the discipline of the CPC and the government on issues such as bribery and has violated the law,” the commission said.

The investigation found that Liu was corrupt entertaining mistresses in various villas in Beijing suburbs. His power came undone when foreign investigators reported him for demanding bribes on public contracts.

Corruption among public and party officials is a serious problem in China. In recent times cases have emerged across the country. In 2005, 115,000 party members received disciplinary punishment. Among them, 11,071 were expelled, 7,279 of which were transferred to the judicial authorities for criminal investigations. (PB)

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