China pledges tougher action on corrupt Party members

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China in 2017 aims to deepen the nation’s supervisory reform, strengthening a push to punish those who violate the Party’s rules.

The recently closed seventh plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) concluded with a communique emphasizing strengthened discipline in intra-Party political life and reinforced supervision within the Party.

Officials from the CCDI attend a press conference held by China's State Council Information Office on January 9, 2017. /SCIO Photo

The CCDI says the country is preparing to set up a national anti-graft organ to supervise all civil servants, with the ultimate goal being the establishment of a national anti-graft organ.

"As for the new commission's authority, it supervises six categories of civil servants, including those in the Chinese Communist Party, the People's Congress, administrative organs, judicial organs, the procuratorates and non-communist parties...It also covers administrative staff in state-run enterprises, schools and sports institutes. It will use the same group of staff as the CCDI, with two different titles."

- Xiao Pei, vice minister of supervision, explained the plans at a press conference held by China’s State Council Information Office on January 9, 2017.

The commission also vowed to tighten supervision of its 500,000-plus corruption investigators, after some of its own staff were caught in graft probes.

Since China's anti-corruption campaign was launched, 57,000 Party members have confessed to mistakes they have made, according to Xiao.

China's most-wanted economic fugitive Yang Xiuzhu surrenders in November 2016. /Xinhua Photo

The country has also stepped up efforts to capture overseas fugitives, with a total number of 2,566 from more than 70 countries detained between 2014 and 2016, recovering 8.64 billion yuan (1.25 billion US dollars) in ill-gotten wealth.

"China has signed extradition treaties with 48 countries, including France, Spain and Italy. For the US and other countries, the CCDI is willing to negotiate with them based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and consideration of mutual concerns. This can help jointly combat cross-border crime, including corruption."

- Liu Jianchao, chief of the CCDI International Cooperation Bureau, stated at a press conference held by China’s State Council Information Office on January 9, 2017.

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