China's top anti-graft body on Thursday vowed to keep up high pressure on corruption in the new year.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) will maintain a heavy-handed approach against corruption, "with unabated forces and unchanging rhythm," said a communique released after the conclusion of the three-day sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), urging strong willpower and tenacity in deepening the anti-graft fight.
Chinese President and General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping spoke at the meeting. Other senior leaders including Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli also attended the session.
The communique urged all party members to be confident in the achievements and the prospects of the anti-graft campaign.
It listed the achievements of China's anti-corruption efforts in 2015, including full support and participation of the public, intensified supervision and disciplinary inspection by graft-busters, and significant results in chasing international criminals.
The investigations of Zhou Yongkang and Ling Jihua have removed hidden political threats in the Party and demonstrated the CPC's resolve to strictly govern itself, it said.
The communique noted that lingering problems remain, while urging Party members to have a calm and sober mind, confidence and resolution.
The Party will strengthen its discipline and improve the supervision system in 2016, as well as deepen institutional reforms.
In addition, the CCDI said it will continue the inspection work this year, aiming to cover all central Party and government organs. Currently 47 inspection teams dispatched by the CCDI have covered major central CPC and government agencies.
BEING STRICT IS LOVE
The principle of strict governing will be upheld to punish the violators and deter the others, the communique said, citing the anti-corruption experience over the past five years.
"Strict governing is a form of deep love, and curing illnesses is done to save people's lives," it said, stressing that disciplinary departments have a crucial role to play in "educating a majority by punishing a minority."
Stressing Party management according to both ethics and discipline, the communique highlighted Party constitution as the fundamental code of conduct for all Party members.