China punished more than 71,000 for ‘hedonism’, corruption in 2017 | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

China punished more than 71,000 for ‘hedonism’, corruption in 2017

Hindustan Times, Beijing | BySutirtho Patranobis, Beijing
Jan 18, 2018 04:27 PM IST

An eight-point frugality code, introduced by the CPC politburo’s Central Committee in December 2012, aims to improve party and government officials’ working style and ethics.

The Communist Party of China punished more than 71,000 people for breaking a strict eight-point frugality code laid down by President Xi Jinping as part of his ongoing anti-corruption campaign in 2017.

The number of people punished saw a sharp increase in 2017, up from 57,700 the previous year.(File photo)
The number of people punished saw a sharp increase in 2017, up from 57,700 the previous year.(File photo)

The party’s central committee for discipline inspection (CCDI) said 71,644 people were booked under 51,008 cases. There was no let-up in investigations and punishments at the end of the 19th CPC Congress held in Beijing in October — as many as 10,672 people were punished in December.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

State media reported that the number of people punished saw a sharp increase in 2017, up from 57,700 the previous year.

The eight-point frugality code, introduced by the CPC politburo’s Central Committee in December 2012, aims to improve party and government officials’ working style and ethics. The code broadly covers the areas of formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance.

Implementing the code, authorities across China shut down 190 golf courses, and 625 offices set up by local authorities in Beijing were shuttered.

“The government has banned the construction of new government buildings and has vacated nearly 22.3 million square meters of government offices that were being misused,” state media reported.

The reports further said authorities will keep a watchful eye on the upcoming Spring Festival or Chinese New Year holidays in February.

“To fully implement frugality rules, discipline inspection departments will focus on public institutions at lower levels, such as state-owned enterprises and financial institutions, as well as county and township governments,” said a recent guideline issued by the CCDI.

This will be part of the efforts to “step up efforts against hedonism and extravagance during the upcoming New Year and Spring Festival holidays”.

A report in the official Xinhua news agency said: “Inspectors will expose violations that take more subtle forms, the document said, noting that some government departments and state enterprises host expensive dinners at their own canteens to escape supervision.”

The CCDI also warned officials against taking festival celebrations as an excuse to lobby their superiors for promotions.

“The public is encouraged to tip off authorities about officials who violate the rules,” the CCDI said.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On