Ren Yuzhong, formerly vice-president of Peking University, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from public office over serious disciplinary and legal violations, according to a statement released by the country's leading anti-graft bodies on Monday.

The decision was announced by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision after an investigation authorized by the CPC Central Committee.

The investigation found that Ren had illegally accepted gifts and cash, failed to report personal matters as required, and sought benefits for others in staff recruitment.

According to the statement, Ren also held shares in non-listed companies in violation of regulations, completely ignored disciplinary and legal boundaries, abused his power for personal gain, and engaged in trading power for money. He exploited his position for personal gain at the university's expense.

He also sought advantages for others in areas such as education, training, enrollment and employment, illegally accepting a huge amount of money and property in return.

The statement noted that Ren's actions seriously violated CPC organizational discipline and integrity guidelines, constituted severe duty-related violations, and that he was suspected of accepting bribes. Ren showed no restraint, and his case was not just serious in nature but had a vile impact, the statement added.

His illicit gains will be confiscated, and the suspected criminal violations have been transferred to procuratorial authorities for legal review with a view to prosecution.

Ren, born in January 1980, hails from Ziyang, Sichuan province. He held several key positions including head of the publicity department of the Beijing university's Party committee as well as acting as spokesperson for the university.

Ren earned his doctoral degree in law from Peking University, where he previously studied at the School of International Studies.