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Public keeping officials in check

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-18 07:43

The public is highly capable of helping the government expose corrupt officials, says an article on the website www.cnhubei.com. The following is an excerpt:

Zhou Jiugeng, the housing administration chief of Jiangning district of Nanjing, has been removed from his post and probed by the local discipline commission on suspicion of violating regulations and laws.

It's definitely heartening news for the public. For one thing, the local discipline department has reacted timely to questions raised by netizens about the extremely expensive cigarettes he smoked at a meeting and the luxurious wrist-watch he wore. Moreover, the initial probe proved that the public has eyes sharp enough to identify and report possible corruption by officials.

This case illustrates how the public takes part in the supervision of political power and figures. Its participation can greatly boost the fight against corruption and make up for loopholes in current monitoring mechanisms.

(China Daily 02/18/2009 page8)