Xu Guojian, former director of the provincial Party Organization Department of Jiangsu, has been expelled from the Party and public employment for being suspected of accepting bribes, reports Xinhua Daily.

The punishment was promulgated by the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China at a conference in Nanjing on Monday.

Xu is suspected of having accepted bribes of 4.6 million yuan (US$556,000), US$8,000 and gifts worth 100,000 yuan (US$12,000) during his tenure.

He has been sent to judicial authorities together with the evidence of his crime, and faces possible legal punishment.

Jiangsu Party Secretary Li Yuanchao delivered a speech at the conference, pointing out that all cadres in the province should learn a lesson from Xu's case.

He emphasized honesty in performing duties and the struggle against corruption, which must start from education, morals and effective supervision.

According to 21st Century Business Herald, which belongs to Nanfang Daily group, Xu's wrongdoings were revealed by Zhang Junyuan and Wang Wenjin, who were investigated by judicial departments in February.

Zhang was former head of the Jiangsu Communications Bureau, former board chairman and Party secretary of Jiangsu Transportation Industry Group.

Wang was the Party secretary, president and general manager of Jiangsu Nanjing-Shanghai Expressway Corp Ltd.

Evidence shows that with the support of Xu, Zhang was appointed Party secretary of the Communications Bureau in January 2001 and bureau director in June of the same year.

At the same time, Zhang helped Wang's promotion and alleged corruption.

(China Daily December 1, 2004)