Sichuan official with Zhou Yongkang link expelled from Communist Party

Li Chuncheng, Sichuan's former deputy party chief and an ally of retired security boss Zhou Yongkang, has been stripped of his titles for violating party discipline.

Li was also expelled from the Communist Party, its disciplinary watchdog said yesterday.

The announcement brings the party one step closer to deciding the fate of Zhou, who is believed to have been placed under detention in December amid a wide-ranging graft investigation.

Li was transferred to Sichuan, Zhou's power base, in 1998, and steadily rose through party ranks. Authorities began investigating him for suspected graft in December 2012.

"Li Chuncheng used the convenience of his position to seek benefits for others, and received a large amount of bribes," the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a brief statement. He "misused his position to engage in feudal and superstitious activities, causing great financial losses for the state" and was "decadent and degenerate", it added.

His wife and daughter received "large amounts of goods" from other people, and Li abused his position to help his brother's business, the statement said.