China focuses on TV, film industry corruption

BEIJING -- China will toughen its fight against corruption in the television and film industry this year, said a senior official here on Thursday.

The television and film industry is "no pure land," said Li Qiufang, a member of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), during an online press conference on the CCDI website.

Li is also head of the CCDI disciplinary inspection group stationed in the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

The group inspected the TV, film and press industries last year to get to know how and where corruption was usually committed, according to the official.

She listed the purchase and marketing of TV series and films, grand gala events, procurement of equipment, advertising, news reporting and overseas branches as fields that are most open to corruption.

"Based on what was learnt last year, the inspection group will deepen its anti-corruption inspection by handling these fields one by one," Li said.

The discipline agency will also promote the introduction of regulations this year to deter staff of the industry from corruption, Li said.

The anti-graft drive under way since the current Chinese leadership took the helm in late 2012 has brought down scores of officials at ministerial level and above, including four state leaders.