NPC Opening Session: High-level gov't officials take questions on 'Ministers' Corridor'

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Some years ago, a "Ministers' Corridor" was created to give the media and public greater access to the country's high-level government officials during the Two Sessions. And this is exactly where China's Minister of Supervision, Yang Xiaodu explained the specific function of the proposed National Supervisory Commission, which is tasked to lead the fight against corruption.

"It is not an organization with enormous outreaching power." This is the message delivered by the Minister Yang Xiaodu.

YANG XIAODU MINISTER OF SUPERVISION "We don't think the Supervisory Commission is an organ with super power. Most of our work is a reminder to public officers. But no one should doubt our commitment to punish corrupt officials who are obstinate to go their own way."

Minister Yang also explained why there was a need to establish such a state organ.

YANG XIAODU MINISTER OF SUPERVISION "In the past, there were holes in our anti-graft system -- that is the supervision of public officers who are not members of the Communist Party of China, and who are not civil servants."

That means the nation's fight against corruption will now cover every nook and cranny of China's public sector. Yang says despite the changes, the new commission won't be much larger than what's already in place and its own work will also be heavily scrutinized.

YANG XIAODU MINISTER OF SUPERVISION "The proposed Supervisory Commission shall work together with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which means it will report to the CPC Central Committee and will also be led and supervised by them. Meanwhile, the proposed Commission will be generated through the NPC election, so it will report to the NPC as well."

The Ministers of Industry and Information Technology, and of Commerce also took questions from journalists on the special corridor. They touched on China's investment in green cars, the country's commitment to quality and the expansion of foreign trade.