The expulsion of Ling Jihua from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removal from public office show that no exception should be allowed in the country's crackdown on corruption, according to a People's Daily commentary.
Ling Jihua, former vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, has been expelled from the CPC and removed from public office, according to a decision made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Monday.
The meeting also decided to transfer the suspected criminal case of Ling and relevant clues to judicial organs for handling in accordance with the law.
"Running the Party with strict discipline are not empty words, and no exception should be allowed in graft crackdown," reads the commentary to be published Tuesday on People's Daily, the CPC's flagship newspaper.
The new decision fully showcases the CPC Central Committee's clear attitude towards and strong determination in upholding Party disciplines and unswervingly punishing corruption, the article says.
Investigations revealed Ling took advantage of his posts to seek profit for others and accepted huge bribes personally and through his family. He is also suspected of obtaining a great deal of the Party and state's core secrets in violation of the laws and discipline as well as committing adultery with a number of women.
Thoroughly investigating Ling's case and eradicating its negative impacts have "a significant meaning on eliminating hidden problems inside the Party, maintaining strict Party discipline and purifying Party organizations," according to the article.
"Party rules and discipline are not only the firewall in anti-corruption campaign, but also the Party's lifeline," it says.
Ling's case serves as a warning for all Party members that one should put rules and discipline in the very front to guard against corruption.
The weakening and downgrade of faith and ideal of the Party are the most dangerous. All Party members, especially leaders at different levels, should never relax efforts of self-discipline or be indulged in individualism and selfishness, nor should they be two-faced," the article reads.
Party members should always strengthen their faith and ideals, enhance the merit of being loyal to the Party, and keep the integrity of being a communist, it says.
All Party members should unify their thoughts and actions with the CPC Central Committee, draw a lesson from Ling's case, and follow the Party's discipline and rules more closely, the article says.
The commentary also urged the Party members to safeguard the authority and unification of the Party, and make bigger contributions to the implementation of "Four Comprehensives" national strategic plan, which represents President Xi Jinping's blueprint for China's future: to build a moderately prosperous society, deepen reform, implement the rule of law and strengthen CPC discipline.
