A new code of conduct designed to preserve the integrity and discipline of China's audit authority has been introduced. They confirmed that an auditor, who died after being entertained by government officials, had been involved in "irregular practices." 

 

Zhang Hongtao, 25, who reportedly died on April 11 from "excessive drinking and eating" had attended a series of banquets hosted by the electricity bureau being audited by his team in the northern province of Hebei, said a notice issued by the National Audit Office on August 23.

 

The team, which was assigned to audit a power grid construction and transformation project being undertaken by the Yanshan County Electricity Bureau between March and April, also participated in trips organized by the bureau, said the notice.  

 

Officials from the bureau said any other employees who'd violated rules in the affair would be penalized and the investigation results published. "The incident has negatively affected the image of audit offices and auditors," said the notice. It also stated that the incident should "sound an alarm" in audit offices nationwide. "Auditors who violate regulations must be severely punished," the notice said.

 

The audit authority have introduced a code of conduct which prohibits auditors from accepting invitations to drink, dine, travel or accept gifts from government departments under investigation.

 

China's audit offices, headed by Li Jinhua, have exposed a number of major corruption cases in recent years. In 2004 a state TV program listed Li as one of the ten most influential people in the country's economic circles reflecting the auditors' determination to confront corruption.

 

But this image has been tarnished by Zhang's behavior with many Internet users lashing out at corruption inside the audit office itself. A newspaper commentary said the public had high expectations of the audit offices and if managers failed to deal with this affair properly it would damage public trust.

 

According to the Beijing News Zhang's colleagues went on the planned trip with officials of the Electricity Bureau to the southern tourist city of Yangzhou just shortly after his death.

 

"It's sad for Zhang. I deeply pity him," said an anonymous Internet user on the Sina website. "Zhang sacrificed himself for China's crooked government working style in which drinking and dining are inevitable in everyday life."

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2006)