On the lookout: China puts elite graft watchers on duty at key Communist Party agencies

They have the stamp of approval from the nation's top graft-buster, Wang Qishan, spotless records - and in the eyes of the leadership - integrity in spades.

This week, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced it had sent seven teams, each with its own leader, to act as in-house monitors on the lookout for corruption at several key Communist Party organisations and the nation's two main political bodies.

According to mainland media, Wang personally chose the team leaders taking up residence in the Central Committee's General Office, the State Council Secretariat, the Organisation Department, the propaganda department, the United Front Work Department, the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Such direct observation, by officials from outside the web of these influential organisations, marked a new step for the party in its campaign to control graft.

The seven leaders - aged between 55 and 61 - built up extensive experience within local government before they were transferred to the discipline commission. Meanwhile, smaller central party committee or government units, such as state security services, which are monitored by these seven top party organisations, will also be overseen by the new resident units, according to the online platform of People's Daily.

The seven chiefs were appointed because they have no ties with the organisations they are monitoring.