China navy chief sacked for graft

Wang Shouye, 62, was sacked as deputy commander of the navy and expelled from the national legislature.

According to official documents, an unmarried young woman reported Wang's activities and admitted an "improper relationship" with him.

Wang is one of the most senior victims of an ongoing anti-corruption drive.

China's ruling Communist Party is worried that widespread official corruption is undermining its legitimacy, and has taken care to highlight a number of high-profile falls from grace.

Earlier this month, in an unrelated case, a former deputy Beijing mayor, Liu Zhihua, was sacked over unspecified corruption charges.

Xinhua said the investigation into Wang began in January.

According to documents submitted to the legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), he was removed from office on account of his "loose morals", and the fact he abused his power to ask for and take bribes.

"Because of my involvement in economic crimes, I have been stripped from the post of deputy navy commander and thus no longer have the qualification of being a deputy to NPC. Please take me off the position," Wang said in a resignation letter dated March 29,2006, according to Xinhua.