Han Zhanwu, the former deputy head of China's State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and removed from public office, according to a release issued on Monday by the country's top anti-graft authorities.

With the approval of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision opened an investigation into Han over suspected serious violations of discipline and law.

The investigation found that Han had "lost his ideals and faith, betrayed his original aspiration and mission". He illegally accepted gifts and shopping cards, the release said. He was also found to have improperly sought benefits for others in the recruitment of officials and employees and accepted money and valuables in return.

Han engaged in power-for-sex and money-for-sex deals and used his position to seek benefits for others in business operations and other matters while illegally accepting huge amounts of money and valuables, the release said. Han seriously violated multiple Party disciplines, constituted serious duty-related violations, and was suspected of the crime of taking bribes, it said.

In accordance with relevant Party disciplines and laws, he was expelled from the Party and removed from public office. His suspected criminal case has been transferred to prosecutors for review and prosecution in accordance with the law, and the assets involved have been handed over as well, the release said.