Nation to introduce more laws to toughen fight on corruption

China will unveil more detailed regulations covering the daily activities of officials and public servants, and will continue to step up punishment for wrongdoers, a senior Communist Party of China official said.

Cui Shaopeng, secretary-general of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, made the remarks on Tuesday at an anti-corruption seminar held by the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels.

"We are going to keep the momentum of market-oriented reform and reduce interference in economic activities by officials and government," Cui said. "We are determined to reduce administrative approval procedures at all levels and keep governments efficient, clean and transparent."

Cui, whose commission handles legal violations by high-profile CPC officials, said this will greatly reduce opportunities for corruption.

He said the CPC has increased efforts to fight corruption since the new leadership has taken office.

The visit is a move by the CPC's discipline department to engage the rest of the world and actively introduce the Party's internal system.

His remarks came amid Monday's announcement of the suspended death sentence of the former minister of railways Liu Zhijun for corruption.

The CPC will soon unveil a five-year agenda to fight corruption and hold Party members, officials and governments accountable.

It is expected that the plan will outline rules for officials regarding property ownership, commercial activities by family members and how to prevent bribery.

Shada Islam, head of policy at Friends of Europe, a Brussels-based think tank, said she was "very impressed" by China's experience and its determination in tackling corruption.

"The anti-corruption campaign should be based on corruption facts themselves, and China should draw a very clear line there," Islam said. "The danger is there, and this is not only in China but also in the rest of the world when talking about fighting against corruption."

Pierre Defraigne, executive director of the Madariaga - College of Europe Foundation in Brussels, said China is not a "special case" when talking about corruption, which also exists in Europe, Africa and the United States.

"I think it is essential for the Party to consistently uphold its ethics and keep its members clean and accountable," said Defraigne.

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/10/2013 page11)