National religious affairs official removed from job over bribes

Zhang Lebin, former vice-head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, has been expelled from the Party for bribery and removed from his post, the Communist Party of China’s top anti-graft watchdog reported on Tuesday.

The Party’s Discipline Inspection Commission said Zhang violated rules against forming cliques and abused his power to gain benefits for others, then accepted bribes paid in cash or property.

The watchdog said the evidence against Zhang would be transferred to judicial authorities for further investigation.