The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) closed its two-day eighth Plenary Session in Beijing Friday, pledging to strengthen efforts to curb corruption.

Although the country's efforts against corruption and graft have taken effect, it must be fully realized that anti-corruption is a "long-term, complicated and tough battle," said the communique released by CCDI after the meeting.

The CCDI will stick to the guideline of curbing graft by both penalty and preventive measures and focusing more on prevention, the document said.

While intensifying punishment of corrupt officials, efforts will be made to close loopholes in policies and systems so as to stem corruption at the source, it said.

More efforts should be made to educate officials about the Party tradition and make them keep close relationship with the people, it said.

The meeting discussed and approved a work report to be submitted by the CCDI to the 17th CPC National Congress, scheduled to open on October 15.

Wu Guanzheng, CCDI Secretary and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2007)