Mr. Ma is a veteran party member with an interest in the education of party members and concerns about corruption. Now 76 years old, he joined the party when serving in the army. After nearly thirty years as a soldier, he returned to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, and took a post in local government. He has been retired for many years. Today he is particularly concerned about the education of party members.

 

 

Last year, the newspapers carried stories of party members being punished for corruption. Reading this, Ma felt encouraged by the central government's clear willingness and efforts to address the problem directly. However, he says that the government still has a long way to go to root out corruption.

 

"Ordinary people regard corruption as the biggest problem with party members. Corrupt officials have still not all been winkled out," Ma said. "I hope the Central Party Committee and government can do more to educate party members, especially those serving in government positions."

 

He also urged grassroots party organizations to play a bigger role in social affairs. However he adds a caveat to this for he does not approve of party members in government-funded enterprises interfering in business affairs.

 

"In many enterprises the senior managers are also party members and might be tempted to take advantage of their positions to pursue their own interests. But they must exercise self control," he stressed.

 

Ma is also concerned about various issues of social security.

 

"Criminal activities are a growing cause of annoyance and people feel unsafe," he said.

 

However, Ma had praise for some of the actions the government has taken in recent years to address common concerns. "Measures like lowering the price of medicines and preferential policies to assist the poor and laid-off workers have gained favor with the public."

 

He attends a Party branch specially set up for retired members. It convenes several meetings a year and keeps the retirees up-to-date with what the government is doing.

 

As a party member, Ma considers himself to be self-disciplined and he says he has always tried be a good example for others.

 

(China.org.cn, 17thcongress.org.cn by staff reporter Yuan Fang in Chengdu October 11, 2007)