China’s graft inspectors warned not to ‘conspire’ with officials in ignoring abuses
Commentary on the anti-graft watchdog's website says conspiring with those under investigation is unacceptable, even up to the provincial level
Mainland anti-graft inspectors were warned not to conspire with fellow Communist Party cadres in papering over abuses, in a harshly worded article published by the nation's top anti-corruption body last night.
The commentary, posted on the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection’s (CCDI) website, says some anti-graft officials are choosing to ignore problems they have seen because they are afraid of offending other party cadres.
“In order to maintain good relations with officials in the party committees, some local inspection chiefs are tending not to take the initiative to report violations to their superiors, and some even try to get rid of the problems themselves,” the article says. “If the inspection bureau cannot do its work, cannot take the responsibility, why should it exist?”
The commentary made it clear that whenever a corruption problem was found, the inspection team on that level should share the blame, as well, for not spotting it.
What’s more, if there is regional or systemwide corruption problem, the chiefs of that level’s inspection offices should also be punished.
The commentary is part of a weekly column started by CCDI aiming to warn party officials to fully bear their responsibilities. The column has become famous for pointing out problems using direct language and a harsh tone.
Last week, a commentary saying provincial-level party chiefs must shoulder the blame when corruption is found in their jurisdictions was published after a heavy anti-graft sweep across Shanxi, and stirred much public discussion. Days later, Yuan Chunqing, the party secretary of the province was removed and has been replaced by Wang Rulin.
A call for austerity has accompanied the anti-corruption campaign. High-end consumer sales sharply shrank this Mid-Autumn Festival, and vendors of expensive mooncakes, a traditional gift on this holiday, encountered an especially cold market this year, reported Xinhua.
Also reduced are the sale of baijiu, the traditional Chinese liquor; business at high-class restaurants; and business trips; and seminars, said Xinhua.
