Wu Guanzheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, emphasized the importance of tightening efforts to prevent and fight corruption at its source.

Wu made the remark during an inspection tour of south China’s Hainan Province from April 15 to 18. His visit was made to improve the work style of the Party and construct a clean and honest government.

“In expanding the campaign to combat corruption and advocate cleanness and honesty in government, it is necessary to persist in the important thought of the Three Represents as the guidance, adapt ourselves to the need of establishing a perfect socialist market economic structure and value reform and systematic innovations,” said Wu.

He stressed that it was also important to improve the system of handling affairs openly, raise work efficiency and take the initiative to seek supervision from all walks of life.

Wu told local officials to conscientiously carry out the Law on Administrative Licensing, which will take effect in July this year. He said that administrative approval should not be necessary in cases where problems can be efficiently solved with market techniques.

After hearing work reports by leaders of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the CPC and the government, Wu also asked them to expand reform, update the system and fight against corruption in more fields in accordance with the requirements of the 3rd plenary session of the 16th CPC Central Committee, to prevent and reduce cases of corruption such as abusing power to seek personal benefits and exchanging influence for money.

Wu urged local officials to serve the reform and economic construction in an effective way.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2004)