The former secretary-general and legal representative of the China Environmental Culture Promotion Association (CECPA), Wang Panpu, is being investigated in connection with the association's financial problems.

The website, Caijing.com, said yesterday that Wang allegedly set up a "private fund" to divert public money, and illegally asked for "sponsorship" from companies in the name of a government body that carries out environmental evaluations.

CECPA is a major nonprofit association that promotes good environmental practices in China. It organizes the annual Green People awards and promotes various environment-friendly projects.

The investigation is being carried out by the discipline inspection department of the Communist Party of China's Beijing municipal committee, Caijing.com said.

Wang's last public appearance was late last month at the launch of this year's Green People awards.

He joined CECPA as deputy secretary-general in 2003. Before that, he worked for several media organizations.

(China Daily October 31, 2008)