BEIJING - Zhang Huawei, a former vice-ministerial level inspector, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) for corruption and violating the Party code of conduct.

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) made the announcement Wednesday following an investigation authorized by the CPC Central Committee.

Zhang, a former inspector of central inspection teams, was found to have severely violated political discipline, interfered with the work of the institutions being inspected, and resisted investigation.

Zhang led the inspections of several institutions, including the General Administration of Sport of China and the China Huadian Corporation.

Zhang was also accused of taking bribes, said the CCDI.

The investigation found that Zhang traded power for money and gifts, and attended banquets that could influence fairness in official duties.

The CCDI said that as a senior official of the CPC and an inspector of graft himself, Zhang had lost his values, seriously violated the Party's code of conduct, and did not cease his inappropriate behavior even after the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, when the new leadership launched the anti-corruption campaign.

The CPC Central Committee has approved his expulsion from the Party.

Zhang's illegal gains will be confiscated and the case will be transferred to judicial organs for investigation, the CCDI statement said.

The CCDI announced an investigation into Zhang in April.