A high-level government official has been stripped of his post
for allegedly offering bribes during a leadership reshuffle in
China's northern Hebei Province.
A statement from the Chinese Communist Party's Organization
Department said yesterday the official used various ways to win
himself support, including making phone calls, visits, holding
banquets and giving presents.
The official was dismissed from his post on Friday by the CPC
Committee in Hebei Province for "violating the rules of leadership
reshuffles," and further punishment is pending.
According to a report carried in yesterday's Beijing News, the
dismissed official is Li Junqu, the assistant to Hebei's
governor.
Li was a prefecture-level official, the equivalent of a city
mayor. The next level up is a provincial or ministerial post.
Further punishment for Li could include dismissal from the Party
or prosecution through the courts.
China will go through nationwide leadership elections and
reshuffles of legislatures, governments and political advisory
bodies at the provincial level in the first half of next year.
And the work is already underway at city, county and township
levels in some provinces, regions and municipalities.
The Organization Department has issued a circular asking all
local Party committees to crack down on corruption in the election
of new leaders and to make sure those elected are properly
qualified.
It called for "a clean and upright environment for elections" by
firmly preventing and severely punishing misconduct such as selling
and buying government posts, or offering bribes for higher
positions.
The Organization Department asked local Party committees to make
joint efforts with the CPC Central Commission for Discipline
Inspection committees to curb illicit poll activities.
Those who are found to have acquired official posts through
illegitimate means will be punished severely and prosecuted if they
break the law, particularly in regard to corruption, the circular
said.
And those who have already obtained higher official posts
through bribery will be demoted.
The Organization Department has urged the public to call its
12380 hotline to report any malpractice or corrupt candidates
during local leadership reshuffles. Li came under notice after
reports from the public.
(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2007)