Anti-graft drive rises as festival closes in

As the Spring Festival holiday approaches, local disciplinary authorities are stepping up their anti-corruption efforts.

Chinese traditionally give red envelopes, known as hongbao, to friends and relatives, especially to children, during Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year, as a symbol of good luck and happiness. However, the tradition had been misappropriated by corrupt officials who use it as an opportunity to flatter their bosses.

This year's Spring Festival falls on Saturday, and the weeklong holiday is usually a peak period for banquets involving the exchange of gifts. It was once common for officials to fund such occasions using public funds.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, China has stepped up its anti-graft efforts. Frequent notices and guidelines on discipline have attempted to purify the political air, preventing the tiny seeds of transgression from growing into major trees of corruption.

"Fewer people come to offer gifts before Spring Festival, and fewer officials receive gifts now," said a township head in Liling, Hunan province.

A manager of a real estate project in Fujian province said things have changed for the better, adding, "Phone calls and visits have been refused (by local officials), let alone the receiving of gifts."

Yu Yongbing, an official with the discipline inspection commission in Changsha, capital of Hunan, said, "Disciplinary authorities in Changsha have uncovered few corruption cases, as most CPC members are more aware of the rules regarding discipline amid the central government's crackdown on anti-corruption."

Some local officials have vowed to refuse gifts and serve as role models for other cadres.

All county-level officials in Hunan's Chenzhou signed a letter of commitment on Jan 12, vowing to refuse red envelopes.

The CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection ordered local inspectors to step up supervision and discipline ahead of Spring Festival.

To prevent government cars being used for private purposes, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, has installed GPS systems in government vehicles.

"The parking, dispatching and routes of each government vehicle will be recorded by the city's official vehicle service center," said Chen Gu, director of the center.

Chen added that government officials of the city usually take buses or the subway to go home after work or evening events. "They have got used to it," he said.

Lou Yunju, a local discipline inspector, said, "Many government officials drive their own cars to work, ride bikes or take a bus."

Leading up to Spring Festival, discipline inspection authorities in many cities issued statements ordering Party members to prevent "festive corruption".