BEIJING, July 22 -- Lai Derong, senior political advisor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) after he was found to have flouted austerity rules.

Lai has also been removed from his post as vice chairman of the Guangxi regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and will now serve as an ordinary member of government staff, according to a statement posted online by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection on Friday.

The commission's investigation found Lai attended feasts paid for with public funds, violating central authorities' "eight-point rules" on austerity.

He also abused his power to seek profits for others regarding official selection, and further broke Party rules by accepting gifts and money and participating in gambling overseas, according to the commission.