Beijing local anti-corruption department officials disclosed recently that they caught over 20 people at large suspected of economic crimes last year.

Local procuratorates dealt with 1,293 economic crime cases in 2000, retrieving 210 million yuan (US$25.2 million).

Jia Qinglin, Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, called for efforts to root out corruption. He demanded all the government officials to be self-disciplined, rejecting cash or coupon offerings.

Jia also asked for all departments to standardize their accounting systems, to limit administrative power, to enhance the enforcement of laws and regulations, and to expand democracy at the grassroots.

The municipal committee has decided to launch a publicity activity month on self-discipline from May to June. The city has already set up a control center dealing with serious crimes.

Up until November last year, altogether 1,014 Beijing officials had been punished for various crimes, with 46.34 million yuan confiscated. Altogether 549 government cars and 131 department computers for personal use were returned.

The northern Hebei province last year punished 116 local officials for bribery, corruption, or seeking personal gains by misuse of power.

The province handled 2,033 graft-related cases in 2000 and redeemed 122 million yuan as a result, sources said.

(Eastday 02/01/01)