SPC circular criticizes court officials' profligate acts

The Supreme People's Court (SPC) on Friday issued a circular criticizing seven cases of court officials violating China's "eight-point" anti-bureaucracy and extravagance guidelines.

A "mass-line" campaign incorporating eight points was launched in June 2013 to bridge gaps between officials and the public, while cleaning up undesirable work styles such as formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance.

The SPC said in the circular that it has no tolerance for such unhealthy work styles.

The seven cases include sightseeing tours at public expense, private use of public vehicles and exchanges of gifts purchased with public money.

The SPC asked for enhanced supervision and targeted measures in the fight against malpractice among judicial officials.

Violators will be strictly punished and their cases exposed to deter others, the circular said.

The circular urged courts to establish supervision and accountability systems, and said that leaders at various levels will be held responsible if violations of the regulation take place in series in their jurisdiction.