BEIJING -- Former assistant foreign minister Zhang Kunsheng has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) after an investigation found he flouted Party codes of conduct.

Zhang's violations included joining private clubs, accepting gifts and money and trading power for sex. He also used his post to seek benefits for other people, and is suspected of accepting bribes for these favors, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, Zhang continued his misdeeds even after the 18th CPC National Congress in late 2012, when the Party began its frugality and anti-corruption campaign.

Zhang's case has been passed on to the judiciary, the CCDI said.