China’s anti-corruption body vows to continue its campaign in 2016

World Today

Wang Qishan, the head of CPC’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). (Xinhua Photo)

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection wrapped up a three-day plenary session on Thursday, vowing to maintain high pressure to fight against corruption in 2016.

During the meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, along with other party leaders reviewed the anti-corruption efforts and achievements in the past year and announced plans for 2016.

In the past year, the cases of top graft-busters Zhou Yongkang and Ling Jihua were two major efforts as they were “political threats” to the Party, according to a communique released after the meeting.

It says that the duo’s removal demonstrated the CPC’s resolve to strictly govern itself.

General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping speaks during the three-day sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. (Xinhua Photo)

Zhou, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, was expelled from the Communist Party of China for mainly accepting huge bribes.

The other senior official, Ling Jihua, was revoked of his Party membership for the same reason.

The communique says that in the past year, China’s anti-corruption efforts included intensified supervision and discipline inspection, with full support and participation of the public, as well as significant results in chasing economic fugitives overseas.

Last year’s anti-graft campaign punished over 330,000 officials for grafting or unfit lifestyles, according to Wu Yuliang, Deputy Chief of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection during a press conference on Friday.

In 2016, outstanding problems such as forcibly occupying and seizing public assets and resources, extorting bribes, embezzlement, as well as corruption and extravagance in poverty relief work, will be the primary focus of the campaign according to both the communique and Wu.

Wu also said the body will maintain a heavy-handed approach against corruption this year, and those corrupt officials who hold key posts will be the top targets.

The disciplinary inspections will be increasingly strict, the communique said, and problems concerning formalism, bureaucracy and extravagance discovered during the inspection will be seriously investigated.

The communique further vowed to build a “loyal, clean and responsible team of discipline and inspection staff” who are loyal to the Party and trusted by the people.

CCTV News