The Communist Party of China (CPC) has warned government officials against the "ten taboos" ahead of the upcoming local leadership reshuffles.

The list was made public at a national video conference jointly held by the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee and the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

The "ten taboos" include:

-- using various ways to win support during the reshuffle, including making phone calls, conducting visits, holding banquets and giving gifts;

-- lobbying officials of higher rank to achieve promotion;

-- handing out pamphlets or giving souvenirs without authorization;

-- holding social activities in the name of reunions of classmates, townsmen or fellow soldiers to form cliques;

-- offering bribes in cash, gifts and stocks to buy government jobs;

-- taking bribes or attending banquets staged to drum up support during the reshuffle;

-- covering up or shielding illicit activities during the reshuffle;

-- spreading hearsay or using letters, leaflets, text messages or the Internet to vilify others;

-- using intimidation or deception to hamper and infringe upon the democratic rights of delegates or committee members;

-- arranging jobs for people or making a rush for somebody's promotion.

China will go through nationwide leadership elections and reshuffles of legislatures, governments and political advisory bodies at the provincial level in January this year as many officials had finished their five-year term.

The work is already underway at city, county and township levels in some provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2008)