Two former Chinese officials Han Song and Gao Xingfu have been expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from public office over serious violations of discipline and laws, the country's top anti-corruption authorities announced on Friday.

The decisions were announced following investigations carried out by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision.

Han, former chairman of the standing committee of Xi'an people's congress in Shaanxi province, was placed under investigation in July.  The investigation concluded that Han, 60, illegally accepted invitations to banquets and arrangements for travel and fitness activities. 

He also borrowed vehicles from individuals under his management and service without compensation for an extended period. Furthermore, he sought benefits for others and accepted money and valuables during the selection and appointment of officials.

Han, a native of Shandong province, was discovered to have illegally accepted gifts and used his positions to seek benefits for others in various areas — such as business operations and project contracting — in exchange for large amounts of money and assets.

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Gao, former deputy head of the standing committee of the Zhejiang provincial people's congress, was subject to investigation in August.

Following an investigation, Gao, 62, was found to engage in opportunistic manipulation, associating with political fraudsters, resisting the probe, and participating in superstitious activities.

The investigation also revealed that he repeatedly accepted banquets and travel arrangements that could have affected the impartial execution of his duties, had others pay for expenses that should have been covered by himself, and borrowed vehicles from individuals under his management or service.

Gao, a native of Zhejiang, sought benefits for others and accepted money and goods in exchange for promoting officials and hiring employees. Additionally, in violation of regulations, he accepted gifts, cash, and shopping cards and improperly interfered in market economic activities, according to the investigation.

Treating public power as a tool for personal gain, Gao indulged in pleasure-seeking, lowbrow pursuits, and engaged in extensive power-for-money transactions. The investigation said he exploited his position to benefit others in areas such as project contracting, land use for projects, company listings, and operations, as well as illegally accepted large amounts of money and goods.

In line with Party regulations and national laws, the decisions were made by the commissions to expel Han and Gao from the Party, confiscate their illicit gains, and hand over their cases to prosecutors for further review.