Two members of the Shanghai municipal committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have been struck from the political advisory body after criminal investigations were launched against them.

The committee announced Wednesday that Li Songjian and Tang Haigen, who have been arrested on charges of embezzlement, have been removed from the committee.

Li Songjian, 45, was the president of Mingyuan Group and a member of the Standing Committee of the Public Interest Party (Zhi Gong Dang)'s Shanghai municipal committee.

Tang Haigen, 49, was the head of two Shanghai companies.

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2007)