China plans harsher punishments for corrupt officials

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China has issued fresh guidelines to stamp out corruption, promising greater supervision and stronger punishments.

In a communique issued after a meeting of China's top disciplinary watchdog on Sunday, the Communist Party of China (CPC) said it will continue to enhance supervision within the Party, with harsher punishments for corrupted officials.

The communique says that old problems should be closely scrutinized to prevent a resurgence, while eyes should be kept on potential new issues. International cooperation on anti-corruption cooperation should also be deepened.

“Confessions should be open to the public and used as reversal teaching materials,” the communique, issued at the end of the seventh plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, states.

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the seventh plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 6, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

China will also push forward reforms on the country's supervisory system, new laws on discipline inspection will be enacted, and a nationwide supervision committee will be established.

The meeting also approved tighter supervision on anti-graft officials themselves. The three-day meeting in Beijing discussed the major achievements and priorities of the ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that the ongoing anti-corruption battle must go deeper.

CFP Photo

An editorial published on Friday by the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s official newspaper, People's Daily, also called for "zero tolerance" in handling election fraud, warning Party members to learn from past political scandals.

The year of 2016 was a great success in terms of anti-corruption achievements, with officials at various levels punished. The most-wanted economic fugitive Yang Xiuzhu, who had been on the run for 13 years, also turned herself in. She was top of a most wanted list of 100 fugitives.