The Communist Party of China's Political Bureau recently met to outline the 13th five-year plan. (Photo : Reuters)
A former senior official of the ruling Communist Party of China has been ordered to step down to face graft charges.
Su Rong, 66, former vice chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a parliamentary advisory body, was dismissed from public office amidst the ongoing graft investigation.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the anti-corruption watchdog, issued a statement saying Su has been expelled from the party after Su allegedly used his position to obtain "large bribes".
The statement also cited Su's abuse of authority. He had been allegedly receiving "large sums of illegal bribes" that resulted in "massive losses of government assets".
Su's behavior, the statement noted, had "resulted in serious violations of the law". Charges against him have been turned over to key authorities for appropriate legal action.
Chinese authorities have intensified its campaign against against graft and corruption since President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012.
To date, the crackdown has resulted in the arrest of dozens of officials from both government and the private sector.
Chinese authorities also went after those that fled the country to escape prosecution. Last year alone, hundreds of suspected "economic criminals" were extradited back to China.
Su is among the most senior government figures that have been expelled from public office since the campaign started.
In November of 2014, Chinese media reported the arrest of some public officials in Jiangxi province that allegedly had links to Su.
Prior to his stint as vice chairman of CPPCC, Su was the top Communist Party official in Jiangxi province.
