The newly-issued Communist Party of China (CPC) regulations on internal supervision and disciplinary penalty have raised heated discussion among common people, who mostly believe they will lead to another bright stage for China's anti-corruption move.

A random street survey by Xinhua indicated that more than 80 percent of the interviewed held that the regulations would enhance efforts against corruption and be fruitful.

"They surely will raise the public's confidence." said Yang Yong, a Beijing newspaper reporter. "The publication also shows that the Party has recognized the significant role of mechanisms in Party building."

The regulations established 10 kinds of punishing mechanisms for acts of Party members that violate political, personnel and financial regulations and involve in bribery, malfeasance and infringement of others' rights could also invite Party internal penalties.

Those who seriously violate socialist moral ethics such as by having illicit lovers and participate in immoral activities will also receive stern penalties ranging from serious warnings and removal from Party posts to being expelled from the Party.

Many consider the mechanisms a signal that China has shifted its anti-corruption supervision style from political reliance to mechanism based.

"Using means of political power can be loose, at will and without a fixed form," said Prof. Li Zhongjie, a noted expert on Party history. "In comparison, a mechanism-based one will be standard, stable and long and remain the same irrespective of the case that is involved."

"A mechanism can also erect a defense line in the minds of the Party members, and ward off some potential violators." said Li.

"Supervision not guarded by a mechanism is always weak. We want an armed one," Yang said, "and the regulations get it."

Prof. Li viewed the adoption of the regulations as another big stride forward in moving the CPC's anti-corruption move efforts toward a legal system.

An early survey by the Academy of Social Sciences showed that over 70 percent of the respondents would pay continuous attention to the Party's anti-corruption results.

"Any measure by the Party against corruption would draw powerful support from the general public," Yang Yong said.

One media commentary said that the support for the regulations would come from all social strata, but it also warned that the actual effect will eventually hinges on the common efforts by all the Party's 67 million-strong members.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2004)