Watchdog vows no letup in fight against graft

China's top disciplinary body has pledged to persist with its iron-handed crackdown against corruption and other misconduct.

In an article published on its website on Monday, the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said some people think the campaign cannot last for long, while others have suggested it has achieved its goal and should now be stopped.

"We must firmly oppose such notions and should never overlook the danger of their becoming popular among the public," the article said.

It cited President Xi Jinping's recent remarks that the situation in the anti-graft campaign is still "grim and complicated" and that although corruption levels are falling, the problem remains.

The commission said the public wants no leniency to be shown toward corrupt officials and for the campaign to continue.

"The campaign is expected to encounter greater difficulties as it deepens. Some of the tigers (high-ranking corrupt officials) we are about to deal with are very cunning," it added. "They are good at various maneuvers, such as keeping a low profile during the crackdown."

The commission promised to continue the campaign until all corrupt officials have been exposed and punished.

"Not a single corrupt official would quit on his or her own. ... Corruption often leads to political conspiracy, greatly compromising the Party's leadership and unity. Therefore, we can never leave the anti-corruption campaign uncompleted," the article said.

It also said the cases of disgraced former senior officials Zhou Yongkang and Xu Caihou show that some corrupt officials "are very well hidden" within the Party.

"The tigers we are now targeting are deceitful and tend to lie low," the article added.

Zhu Lijia, a professor of public administration at the Chinese Academy of Governance, said the commission released the article to respond to attempts by some corrupt officials to use rumors to create problems for disciplinary inspectors.

"The Party and the government should introduce more measures to ensure the public is able to supervise and scrutinize every government employee, and that all officials carry out their duties in accordance with laws and regulations."

Zhu said the ultimate solution to corruption lies in transparency, democracy and rule of law.

Ma Huaide, vice-president of China University of Political Science and Law, said, "The fight against corruption should not be a short-lived movement, but a long-lasting war requiring determination and perseverance.