The former chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hebei Provincial People's Congress has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) for violating Party protocol.

And more penalties may be expected for Cheng Weigao, 70, who also previously served as Hebei governor and secretary of the Hebei Provincial Committee of the CPC.

The Central Discipline Inspection Commission of the CPC decided to expel Cheng from the Party at the weekend after a year-long investigation. It said during his tenure, Cheng misused his power to help his wife and children undertake unlawful activities, condoned his subordinates' criminal activities, retaliated against people who exposed his crimes and accepted expensive gifts.

Cheng's secretaries, Li Zhen and Wu Qingwu, were last year sentenced to death and death with a reprieve, respectively, for taking bribes and embezzlement.

Cheng should take responsibility for his subordinates' crimes, the discipline commission said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2003)