CPC inspectors expose authorities' corruption

The Communist Party of China's (CPC) anti-graft inspectors have uncovered a long list of malpractice by ministry heads, local authorities and state-owned enterprises, including embezzlement, power-for-money deals and luxury consumption.

Overspending on official cars, bribery and corruption concerning important construction projects are common in the inspected areas and bodies, according to inspection results publicized by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline and Inspection (CCDI) this week.

From March to May, anti-corruption authorities made inspections in Beijing, Tianjin, Liaoning, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hainan, Gansu, Ningxia and Xinjiang. They also inspected the Ministry of Science and Technology, China Oil and Foodstuffs Corporation, Fudan University and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps..

The CCDI began to publicize and update the inspection feedback on its website from July 6. To date, 11 of the 14 areas and bodies have been named and shamed in the release, and it will reveal details of violations by the remaining three.

The state-owned China Oil and Foodstuffs Corporation has not strictly implemented the central authorities' frugality rules, according to the release. Its management often showed extravagance, such as using public funds to play golf.

The Beijing government was found to have committed serious violations in land acquisition and residential house removal, the inspectors said, adding that many low-level officials in the capital have amassed large fortunes by abusing power.

In the northwest province of Gansu, the inspectors found local officials had intervened in construction projects and caused huge losses through their illegal operations. Poverty relief funds allocated by the central government were also stolen or appropriated.

Officials in central Henan Province had colluded with businessmen and taken bribes for helping them manipulate land transfers and win the bidding for construction projects. A number of officials had lived decadent lifestyles, offering bribes to get promoted or trading official positions for money.

Authorities in Shandong, Hainan and Ningxia were all found to have manipulated the bidding of major construction projects and committed transgressions in the promotion of officials, among other problems.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and Fudan University were criticized mainly for misusing special funds and overspending on trips and meetings.

Leading officials in the China Oil and Foodstuffs Corporation and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region are suspected of "violations of law and Party discipline," and their cases have been transferred to the CCDI and the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee.