Officials who commit major mistakes here will be sacked from their posts, or punished, depending on the severity of their mistakes, as the Guangzhou government has introduced a stricter accountability system, a disciplinary official said.

The system, to be effective from April 1, will be implemented among district-level government and Party committee officials, Zhang Weicheng, deputy chief of the Guangzhou discipline inspection committee, said.

"The local government is determined to crack down on corruption by introducing stricter accountability system," Zhang said.

The system targets officials who err in making policies, executing duties, matters of governance, and violate laws and disciplines, refuse public supervision or commit other misconducts, Zhang said.

Officials, who act against basic public interests in fields such as education, healthcare and real estate, will be particularly accountable, Zhang said.

Additionally, officials who provide false and conceal information or refuse to provide or delay the report of public accidents will be questioned, Zhang said.

"Punishments for officials who commit mistakes range from making public apologies, readjusting their posts, giving up positions to being sacked," Zhang said.

Officials asked to account for their actions will not be promoted within a year, according to the system.

"But such punishments are different from judicial and disciplinary penalties," Zhang added.

Zhang said the disciplinary committee will start the accountability process after officials are exposed by the media for their wrongdoings, or receive suggestions from local people's congress deputies, procuratorates and audit authorities.

Li Gongming, a member of the local political consultative conference, said the accountability system will go a long way in strengthening ties between media groups and government authorities.

"Usually, government authorities show the door to media groups if officials are involved in a breach of duty or corruption," Li said.

(China Daily March 18, 2009)