Guangdong's party secretary vowed yesterday to crack down on corrupt party members and strengthen party units in the province.
'In order to achieve our ambitious development goal, it is important that effective measures be taken to boost party leadership in Guangdong and to rejuvenate party units at various levels in the province,' said Li Changchun.
'Better communication channels should be built among party units to enhance the flow of information and transparency.
'Only by doing so can we increase our fighting ability against corrupt cadres and members.' Mr Li, a politburo member, was addressing delegates at the opening of the five-day provincial party congress in Guangzhou.
Despite suspicions that Mr Li was sent by Beijing in February to take a hardline stance in Guangdong, Mr Li told the 868 delegates the party core and General Secretary Jiang Zemin had high regard for - and expectations of - the province.
But Guangzhou sources said Mr Li, a northerner and former party chief of Liaoning and Henan provinces, still faced resistance from Guangdong cadres.
Mr Li also highlighted the importance of promoting the rule of law in the province.
