Chinese respond to graft inquiry

Chinese people have responded to the central discipline watchdog's latest inquiry about malpractice at staff training centers, highlighting the improper use of public money.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday published a summary of posts visitors left on its website about problems at staff training centers and with training programs of Party and government departments.

"Staff training centers are supposed to have classrooms, libraries and dorms. Instead, training centers of some government departments have suites as luxurious as high-end hotels, swimming pools, bowling alleys and even sauna rooms, beauty parlors and bars," wrote "Hehaoruchu" in a posting.

"Tearsyanlei" said government training centers he or she had visited had large gardens, small museums, golf clubs and private cinemas.

As the campaign against extravagance and other harmful work practices proceeds, officials do not go to high-end restaurants and pubs but turn to training centers managed by the government departments themselves, said a post from "Fengxinziqq".

"They think these places are discreet and safe, away from the eyes of the public," the post added.

Comments on the website accused some training centers, which are paid for with taxpayers' money, as being venues where corrupt officials party and make underhand deals.

Some are even used to embezzle public money.

According to a post published by the CCDI, one department obtained a large area of public land to build a training center but used the land for commercial real estate development.

One post accused officials of holding training programs at tourist sites and turning down real training courses.

"Many officials consider training programs a welfare. A large number of programs only contain a few hours of course time and the rest is just sightseeing and entertainment," wrote "Yaoge".

The CCDI's online inquiry about malpractice at training centers was the latest monthly investigation since the commission launched its website last September. About 180 posts were left during the training centers inquiry from July 7 to 18.

The inquiries are aimed to solicit public opinions about possible corruption.

The previous inquiry was about laxity of Party disciplines.