Antitrust adviser booted off State committee for work violations

A Chinese antitrust adviser has been dismissed by the antitrust consultant committee of the State Council (cabinet) for providing consulting services to the world's largest smartphone-chip maker, Qualcomm Inc, as well as disciplinary violations, according to officials.

It is the first such case since the 21-member committee was established in 2008 as an advisory and supportive body for three government antitrust enforcement agencies.

Zhang Xinzhu was removed from his position as an expert on the committee for taking large payments from Qualcomm for his consulting services, said an official involved in the investigation of Zhang's case who declined to be identified.