Tougher graft penalties promised

BEIJING party secretary Jia Qinglin vowed yesterday to punish corrupt officials with extra severity.

But the authorities have yet to conclude long-delayed proceedings against Mr Jia's predecessor and ousted Politburo member Chen Xitong.

Speaking at the eighth Beijing Municipal Party Congress, Mr Jia said the city would devote more effort to anti-graft work.

'We will seriously investigate and handle cases involving infringement of discipline and violation of the law,' Mr Jia said.

Mr Jia, who was inducted into the Politburo last September, said there would be no exceptions.

He said investigating authorities would particularly target graft in finance, stocks and property.