China committed to 'clean governance'

China is committed to clean governance and is "building stronger institutions to tackle corruption from its roots," a senior Chinese anti-graft official said here Thursday.

China has made tremendous efforts to promote clean governance and curb corruption, winning trust and support from the people, China's Minister of Supervision Huang Shuxian said in a written statement presented to the Anti-Corruption Summit held in London.

The first focus in China's anti-corruption drive "is to improve the (Chinese Communist) Party's style by going after formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance," the minister said.

"The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee issued an eight-point decision in this respect, demanding investigations into and tougher punishment for corrupt behavior," he noted.

The targeted "corrupt behaviors" range from dining and gifting with public funds, accepting gift money at weddings, funerals or other special occasions and visiting private clubs.

Between 2013 and 2015, 114,000 violations against the "eight-point decision" were investigated nationwide, exposing 150,000 Party officials, among whom 65,000 were disciplined, according to Huang.

China has also toughened the punishment on corruption with "zero tolerance," and "made it clear that anyone breaking those rules will be dealt with regardless of their positions," he added.

Between 2013 and 2015, 750,000 people were disciplined nationwide, including 36,000 facing criminal charges.

His statement continued: "The central authorities dispatched inspection teams to local authorities, government agencies, state-owned companies and government-affiliated institutions.

"Their task is to see whether the policies of the central authorities are faithfully implemented, particularly whether there are violations of political discipline and rules, including the eight-point decision."

China is also "building stronger institutions to tackle corruption from its roots," Huang said.

"China has been deepening all-round reform to eliminate the breeding ground for corruption," he stressed.

Huang also urged countries around the world to deepen international anti-corruption cooperation at the Anti-Corruption Summit.

British Prime Minister David Cameron chaired the summit at Lancaster House in London on Thursday. Presidents from Afghanistan, Colombia, Nigeria and other countries, senior ministers from G20 countries, as well as leaders from international organizations are attending the summit.

Source: XINHUA