President Hu Jintao on Sunday emphasized that the Chinese
government is fully committed to fighting corruption and is working
vigorously for its eradication.
Hu made the remarks when addressing the opening ceremony of the
First Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International
Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) lasting until
October 26.
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"We treat the fight against corruption as a priority and a pressing
task that has great influence on the overall development of the
country, the fundamental interests of the Chinese people, equality,
justice and social harmony and stability," said Hu.
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China's strategy in building a clean government is to address both
the symptoms and the root cause, and combine punitive and
preventative measures, focusing on prevention, Hu said.
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"In this way, we can take measures to prevent corruption, including
investigation, prosecution, trial and conviction, and punish
criminals severely for corruption," he said.
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At the same time, China will continue to improve its overall
anti-corruption system, giving equal importance to education,
mechanism building and supervision, he said.
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"We are stepping up efforts to improve the rule of law and to
create a culture of a clean and honest government, while
strengthening the supervision of power," he said.
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Hu said China is endeavoring to stop corruption at all levels
through reform, by eliminating the breeding grounds for corruption
and developing an effective anti-corruption mechanism that will
include public participation.
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"To achieve economic and social development, it is necessary to
promote a clean government, combat corruption and create a good
social environment of equality, justice, incorruptibility, harmony
and stability," he said, adding "this is also important for world
peace and development."
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The Chinese government attaches great importance to anti-corruption
cooperation with other countries and international organizations,
he said.
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"Enhancing international anti-corruption cooperation will enable
all countries to punish and prevent corruption more effectively,"
Hu said.
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"It will also help achieve the common aspiration of the whole world
to have clean and honest governments."
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"We maintain that countries should respect each other's sovereignty
and that they should enhance practical anti-corruption cooperation
while respecting the different national conditions," said Hu.
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The president said that thanks to unrelenting efforts, China has
made remarkable achievements in fighting corruption and that "we
will continue unswervingly with anti-corruption campaigns to
realize, protect and advance the fundamental interests of the
Chinese people."
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Hu said that China, a principal participant in the United Nations
Convention Against Corruption, is now in the process of drafting,
amending and improving relevant domestic laws and regulations to
meet the requirements of the convention.
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"The Chinese government will shoulder earnestly international
responsibilities it accepted under the convention," Hu said.
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"The founding of the International Association of Anti-Corruption
Authorities will, on the basis of respect for political and legal
systems of the countries concerned and historical and cultural
backgrounds, help develop a cooperation mechanism featuring mutual
trust and strengthen practical anti-corruption cooperation among
all countries," he said.
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Centering on the theme of strengthening international cooperation
for effective implementation of the UN Convention Against
Corruption, the meeting will enable delegates to share their
experiences on international anti-corruption cooperation and
establish a direct cooperative mechanism for the International
Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities.
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The UN Convention Against Corruption, adopted at the 58th session
of the UN General Assembly in 2003, recognized an international
consensus to fight corruption as part of international law.
(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2006)