Liu Zhihua, vice mayor of Beijing, was removed from his post on Sunday for corruption and dissoluteness.

The 28th Session of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress decided to dismiss Liu after having verified the facts of his wrongdoings, which were found to be "quite serious with baneful social influences".

Because Liu is considered to have violated the discipline of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the government, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC and the Ministry of Supervision have put his case on file for further investigation and prosecution.

(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2006)