Han Zhubin, procurator-general of China's Supreme People's Procuratorate, said the anti-corruption campaign would zero in on major construction projects, following the investment of about 600 billion yuan (US$72.3 billion) in the region.

Han called for procuratorial departments in western China's 12 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions to watch out for malfeasance, bribery and under-the-counter deals.

To ensure fair tendering, local prosecutors have been urged to double-check the qualifications of contractors and the impartiality of those awarding contracts.

Earlier this year, a large-scale anti-corruption campaign was jointly launched by eight government departments, including procuratorates, taxation bureaus and customs, which has since claimed substantial successes.

Since the beginning of 2001, some 230 corruption cases have been uncovered in Guizhou Province in projects related to water conservation, power plant construction and land use.

In Chongqing, China's newest municipality, 101 people have been convicted in 89 bribery cases, while in Sichuan, relevant officials must sign a pledge of integrity in every highway construction contract.

Statistics from the Supreme People's Procuratorate show that 36,447 graft and bribery cases involving 40,195 people -- 20,120 of whom have been convicted -- were put on file for investigation and prosecution last year.

(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2002)