Local officials punished in nepotism case

Twenty-two officials in central China's Hunan Province have been punished in a nepotism case, central authorities revealed on Monday.

Seven officials in Jiangyong County were dismissed or given serious warnings for illegally transferring their children or relatives into government office, according to a statement released by the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Among them, Liu Runsheng, former deputy head of the county, was set to prison for bribery related to the case.

Another 15 officials, including a municipal official in Yongzhou City which administered the county, were also given warnings or dismissed from their posts, according to the statement.

The children and relatives of the seven officials have been dismissed.

A job in public office is seen as a "golden bowl" by Chinese people, meaning decent salaries and a cosy life. Arranging such jobs for offspring or manipulating personnel selection for profit is widespread among corrupt officials in China, though the CPC has strict rules on the matter.

Civil servants, their spouses and relatives can not hold two posts which report to the same director. They must avoid situations such as recruitment, promotion or demotion of staff that involve their families.

The nepotism case in Jiangyong has seriously damaged the Party's image and the people's interests, the department said in the statement, urging all local authorities to comply with the rules.

The statement also promised better investigation and harsher punishment as a deterrent for all officials.