Five inspection teams have been established to supervise provincial-level officials and fight against corruption, it was reported Tuesday.

The teams and an inspection office have been jointly set up by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Discipline Inspection Commission and the organizing department under the CPC Central Committee.

So far, 45 team members have assumed office.

According to the latest Outlook Weekly magazine, it is a move being made by the CPC Central Committee to make the nation's existing inspection system more effective.

An anonymous official with the inspection office said this year's major task is to inspect five provinces.

The first inspection team has already traveled to Guizhou and Hunan provinces and the second team has also started its inquiries in Jilin, Jiangsu and Gansu provinces.

The inspection teams will check on provincial government leaders to see whether they follow the principles of democratic centralism in deciding important issues and whether they follow the legal process when selecting cadres.

The teams will also look at the veracity of provincial government officials when performing their official duties and fighting against corruption.

Over four years the inspection teams plan to probe 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and in the process create a scientific and efficient scrutiny system.

Sending the teams will strengthen supervision inside the Party, compel cadres to remain honest and reduce corruption, the official said.

Earlier this month, Cheng Weigao, former chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hebei Provincial People's Congress, was expelled from the Party for taking advantage of his position.

And in July, former Governor of Yunnan Province, Li Jiating, was sentenced to death by the Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court for taking bribes.

(China Daily August 20, 2003)