(XINHUA)

The Communist Party of China (CPC) announced that Bo Xilai, former Party chief of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, had been expelled from the Party and removed from public office. He also faces criminal charges.

The announcement came on the heels of a decision made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on September 28.

Bo is accused, among other things, of abusing his power in the case of Neil Heywood, a British businessman who was killed by Bogu Kailai, Bo's wife, and of taking "massive bribes" directly and through his family, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The decision also held Bo responsible for the incident in which former Chongqing Vice Mayor Wang Lijun entered the U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, without permission.

"Investigations have found that Bo seriously violated Party discipline while heading the city of Dalian, Liaoning Province, and the Ministry of Commerce and while serving as a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and as Party chief of Chongqing," Xinhua said.

Bo has also been accused of taking advantage of his office to seek profits for others, and the Bo family accepted a huge amount of money and property from others, according to Xinhua.

Bo had or maintained improper sexual relationships with a number of women. He was also found to have violated organizational and personnel discipline and made erroneous decisions in the promotion of personnel.

The investigation also uncovered evidence that suggests his involvement in other crimes.

The decision stressed that the investigation and handling of Bo's case further shows the CPC's basic requirement of being strict with Party members and governing the country in accordance with the law and its distinct position and resolution to fight corruption.

"The entire Party must fully realize the perennial, complex and arduous nature of the anti-corruption fight and give fighting corruption and building a clean government a more prominent place on its agenda so as to wage a resolute battle against corruption, leaving no room for corrupt figures to hide within the Party," the decision said.

Commenting on the decision, Xinhua News Agency said that China's anti-corruption drive is set to be a long-term, complicated and arduous one.

"It is not surprising that the CPC, with more than 80 million members, has some black sheep. The important thing is that the Party is fully aware of the grave situation and has been resorting to forceful measures to improve the institutions for punishing and preventing corruption," it said.

It called for a greater effort to effectively spot corrupt behavior, such as strengthening a declaration system for officials' assets, adopting more measures to protect and reward whistleblowers, and enhancing inspection and supervision.