China pledges zero tolerance for corruption: vice FM

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin delivers a speech during the 5th Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, in Panama City, capital of Panama, on Nov. 25, 2013. The 5th Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) opened Monday in Panama's capital, with a call to develop a coalition to promote a culture of zero tolerance for the scourge. (Xinhua/Mauricio Valenzuela)

China stands firm in its fight against corruption and has zero tolerance for corrupt officials, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said in Panama on Monday.

China will strengthen the construction of anti-corruption system while pushing for international cooperation on the issue, Liu said at the 5th Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

At the five-day meeting that opened Monday here, some 1,000 participants call for the development of a coalition to promote a culture of zero tolerance for corruption.

Briefing the conference on China's progress and experience in anti-corruption work in terms of legislation, judiciary and administration, Liu said the new Chinese leadership attaches great importance to its campaign against corruption.

As part of its recent decision to comprehensively deepen reforms, Chinese leaders have pledged to punish and prevent corruption, and called for institutional innovation and the building of a system to guarantee anti-corruption work, Liu stressed.

He said that the UNCAC, the only legally binding international anti-corruption instrument, must be adhered to by its States Parties, who should fully facilitate the convention's role in fighting against corruption.

Liu also called on States Parties to enhance cooperation on the enforcement of law under the UNCAC, to work together to retrieve property involved in corruption, and to strictly adopt the review mechanism for implementation of the UNCAC.

Adopted 10 years ago by the UN Assembly, the UNCAC has 168 States Parties. China signed the convention in December 2003 and ratified it in October 2005.