BEIJING -- Zhang Zulin, former vice-governor of Southwest China's Yunnan province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) over serious violations of Party discipline and laws, China's top anti-graft body said Thursday.

An investigation found that Zhang had formed political cliques, engaged in superstitious activities, and accepted banquet and trip arrangements in violation of the Party's frugality rules, said a statement from the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision.

The statement said Zhang had intervened in judicial proceedings and resisted investigation. Zhang was also found to have taken advantage of his position to seek profits for others in matters including real estate development, project contracting, employment and job promotion, illegally accepting huge sums of money and gifts in return.

Zhang's acts constituted severe breaches of Party discipline and serious duty-related violations, as well as the suspected crime of taking bribes, the statement read.

His illicit gains will be confiscated, and the case will be transferred to procuratorial authorities for examination and prosecution in accordance with the law, the statement said.