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The Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee announced on Monday that it has rescinded the Party membership of retired professor Cai Xia for making remarks that had serious political problems and damaged the nation's reputation in serious violations of political discipline of the Party. 

Her relevant retirement benefits have also been removed, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee said in a statement. 

Cai, a retired professor from the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (Chinese Academy of Governance), made statements that had serious political problems and damaged the national reputation, leading to very serious consequences, it said. 

Cai's remarks have seriously violated the Party's political and organizational discipline as well as the norms of conduct for personnel in public institutions, it said. 

The school committee decided to expel Cai from the Party and cancel her retirement benefits in accordance with the regulations on CPC disciplinary actions following a joint investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC and the Party School's discipline committee, the statement said. 

Cai was known for frequently making remarks that have defamed the Party and the country. In 2016, she was criticized by news site gmw.cn for losing her "Party spirit" after she expressed support for former property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang, who is known for his aggressive remarks online. In July, Ren was expelled from the Party for serious violations of discipline and law.

She also defended Sina Weibo celebrity Xue Manzi, also known as Charles Xue, after Xue was detained in Beijing for soliciting prostitutes in 2013. 

Xue, also known for aggressive online remarks, was believed to be involved in reposting multiple rumors from Qin Huohuo, who was detained in 2013 for "provoking trouble" by creating and spreading online rumors and profiting from them. Cai also attempted to justify Qin's actions by claiming that the crackdown on online rumors abuses public power to violate citizens' rights.

Global Times