Former economic planning official expelled from CPC, public office

Former deputy chief of China's top economic planning body Liu Tienan has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removed from public office for discipline and law violations, according to a statement released by the CPC's discipline watchdog Thursday. The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection(CCDI) said it has found Liu, former deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, "took advantage of his position to seek profits for others, and both Liu and his family accepted huge amount of money and property." Liu has been found to "seek benefits for his relatives' businesses by breaking relevant regulations, accept cash and gifts". He was also "morally degenerate", reads the CCDI statement. Liu's illicit gains have been confiscated. His expulsion from the CPC has been endorsed by the CPC Central Committee and his removal from public office has been endorsed by the State Council, according to the CCDI. Liu's alleged actions constitute serious crimes and disciplinary offenses, the statement said, adding his case will be transferred to judicial organs. Born in October 1954, Liu has served as a deputy chief of the NDRC since 2008. Liu was dismissed from his post for suspected involvement in serious disciplinary violations in May.