BEIJING - Xi Xiaoming, former vice president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removed from public office.

With the approval of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) launched an investigation into Xi and found he had "seriously breached disciplines," the CCDI said in a statement on Tuesday.

Xi is suspected of taking bribes and has been put under investigation by prosecutors, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) announced.

Xi has also been placed under "coercive measures," which include summons by force, bail, residential surveillance, detention and arrest, the SPP said in a statement.