Ex-Politburo member Ma expelled from CPC

Former Politburo member Ma Xingrui has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office for serious violations of party discipline and laws. According to an official statement on Tuesday, an investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC and the National Commission of Supervision found that Ma had violated political, organisational and integrity discipline; helped family members purchase homes at below-market prices; engaged in power-for-sex and money-for-sex transactions; and allowed family members to exploit the influence of his position to seek huge benefits. The statement added that Ma was found to have sought benefits for others in business operations, project contracting and job promotion, and illegally accepted huge amounts of money and valuables personally or in collusion with relatives or other close associates. Authorities described the case as particularly serious with an extremely negative impact. Ma was also stripped of his position as a National People's Congress delegate and illicit gains were confiscated. The case has been transferred to prosecutors for examination and prosecution in accordance with the law. (Additional reporting by Xinhua) Edited by Edmond Fong