China forces 63,000 officials to quit company directorships

China has forced some 63,000 government officials, including 229 at provincial and ministerial-level, to quit company directorships they hold, according to figures released on Friday.

The Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee said in a statement that 226 of the ministerial-level officials have completed their resignations procedures and the remaining three are expected to quit by next February.

The statement said follow-up work, including rigid supervision and regular inspection will be carried out to prevent a resurgence of government officials doing parttime jobs at companies.

The department set a ban on incumbent officials' employment in private companies in Oct., 2013 to reduce the chances for corruption.

The ban reportedly brought about a mass exodus of independent directors from listed Chinese companies.