The disciplinary watchdog of the Communist Party of China (
CPC) pledged a heavier crackdown on corruption and other acts
that violate CPC discipline, according to a work report released on
Monday.
"The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC
punished 115,143 members last year, accounting for 1.7 per thousand
of total Party membership," according to the commission's work
report that was delivered by secretary Wu
Guanzheng at the commission's Sixth Plenary Session on January
5.
About 15,177 errant members have been handed over to judicial
departments for suspected involvement in criminal activities, the
report read.
The report also disclosed that disciplinary organs at various
levels put on file for investigation 147,539 cases involving
violations of CPC discipline from December 2004 to November 2005.
Of these cases, 148,931 cases have been closed, which resulted in
the expulsion of 24,188 members from the CPC.
According to the report, 4,878 officials nationwide admitted
they owned stakes in coalmines, with a total registered capital of
737 million yuan (US$91 million). Of this, 562 million yuan
(US$69.4 million) had been withdrawn by November 2005.
"A campaign to make government officials and leaders of
state-owned enterprises give up their shares in coalmines has
achieved initial success," Wu said.
Wu also announced that disciplinary organs at various levels had
dealt with 21,010 complaints involving administrative licensing and
penalized 2,845 CPC members for their roles in such cases.
China put in force the Administrative Licensing Law in 2004 to
simplify the administrative licensing procedure and regulate the
use of administrative power, considered key to reducing
corruption.
According to the report, the CPC's disciplinary organs punished
240 officials at and above the county level responsible for 115
serious accidents.
The report listed major tasks of the commission in 2006, which
include:
-- Maintaining the CPC's discipline by actively performing its
obligation of discipline watchdog to safeguard the building of a
harmonious society.
-- Improving the working style of the Party and rectifying
unhealthy performances that harm the interests of the people.
-- Educating leading cadres in the importance of maintaining
integrity and fighting corruption.
-- Strictly enforcing Party discipline by resolutely punishing
officials who have violated that discipline.
-- Deepening reform and improving the current system to stem
corruption at its source.
-- Strengthening the check on and supervision over the use of
power.
(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2006)