In a move to push the anti-corruption drive further, the
country's first-ever national bureau on corruption prevention was
inaugurated yesterday.
Marking a significant step forward in institution building, the
high-profile organization will play a key role in the country's
on-going war against corruption.
As explained by Qu Wanxiang, deputy chief of the bureau, the new
organization is responsible for integrating all efforts by
different government bodies, the business sector and social forces,
to tackle corruption.
It, therefore, caters to the country's need to build a social
network for curbing corruption and maintaining a clean government
and a clean business environment.
Top leaders of the country have been fully aware of the
importance of picking out the bad elements within official ranks.
Much effort has been made in recent years to dig out corrupt
officials and bring them to justice and it is proving to be
effective in deterring others.
The fall of several high-ranking officials in recent years
speaks volume to the country's determination and non-compromising
stance on wiping out corruption.
The establishment of a national organ on preventing corruption
will sound the clarion call to fight the scourge from its very
root.
Given that corruption in this country is taking on new features
and becoming more covert, it is high time to enhance prevention
work and educate all public servants to lead a decent life.
Commercial and job-related corruption cases have been on a rise
and involve higher-ranking officials and larger amounts of money.
According to the Supreme People's Court, cases of job-related
corruption involving more than 10 million yuan in 2006 doubled from
the 2003 number.
The court also revealed that commercial corruption has found its
way into transnational business, underscoring the need for more
international cooperation in this regard.
Hence, the new national organ on corruption prevention will
serve as a platform for the country to draw on international
experience and forge international cooperation to take on this
universal evil.
Such cooperation will be in line with the United Nations
Convention against Corruption, to which China is a signatory state.
The country's top legislature rectified the international treaty in
2005.
(China Daily September 14, 2007)