From October 1997 to September 2002, China achieved great success in its anti-corruption work with varied discipline inspection departments placing a total of over 860,000 cases and more than 846,000 people under disciplinary measures, and over 137,000 expelled from the Party. According to Li Zhilun, the newly elected minister of supervision, there is still great pressure as the work has only just begun. “We are still confronted with severe challenges in combating corruption and the construction of a clean government,” he said.
The new minister made his ideas clear on the work of anti-corruption:
“With regard to the aim of our work, we should focus on two points: one, taking economic construction as the core and giving top priority to development in discipline inspection work; two, making sure of the point of departure, as well as the final goal of our inspection work in order to safeguard the people’s fundamental interests conscientiously, letting them really benefit from reform and the modernization process.
“With regard to the plan for our work in future: first, to strengthen building an honest and clean government; second, focusing on being diligent in attending to state affairs. Moreover, we should further efficacy inspection in both the administration of government and in enterprise; calling on administrative departments and relevant officials to correctly perform their duties as well as urging enterprise leaders to carry out business in accordance with the law; improving management systems, perfecting work modes and methods as well as raising work efficiency.
“To complete various tasks, we need a very competitive group. Generally speaking, the 300,000 plus discipline supervisors in China are a high-quality and reliable group,” Li noted. “However, degenerates will use any means to woo and corrupt officials making a great challenge to our group. Therefore in my term of office, we will strengthen the autonomy of the inspection departments throughout the country, not only urging officials to strictly observe discipline, but being closely concerned with everyone’s improvement as well as making people develop in an all-round way so as to better carryout their duties.
“I will make every effort to do my work well and finish my tasks in line with the requirements of the central authorities, being boundlessly loyal to the leadership as well as our people.”
He said sincerely: “As for myself, first, I will learn more about the economy, the law and other relevant knowledge to improve my professional skills; second, being whole-heartedly devoted to my duty and being level-handed in dispensing justice; third, being realistic and truthful as well as careful and prudent. Inspection work should be formed on the basis of facts and in line with discipline law and regulations as well as to be able to stand the test of time.”
Speaking of himself, Li said he has few hobbies. Despite daily work, “All that I do is reading books, watching TV and having a walk with my wife and child.” But he is too busy to get many opportunities to rest.
He was an outstanding student of China University of Political Science and Law. He had served posts as an official at the Public Security Bureau in an ethnic minority county in Hainan Province, vice president of the Communist Youth League School, director of the China Youth Daily, and vice minister of supervision.
Today, as many new challenges lie ahead, the new minister promises in a solemn tone: “I will study much harder, adhere to principles as well as try my best to be just and stern and will never let our people and Party down.”
(China.org.cn by Li Xiao, April 25, 2003)
