Tackling commercial bribery, especially among government officials, is a major task of China's drive to build a clean and efficient government this year, according to a high-level government meeting Wednesday.

Another major task is to ensure that major decisions of the central authorities are implemented effectively, says the executive meeting of the State Council, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

"Disobedience of orders and violations of bans shall be severely punished," the meeting says.

The meeting also ordered the resolute rectification of unhealthy tendencies that harm the interests of people, especially problems that make it difficult for children to receive quality schooling and for patients to receive medical treatment.

It also orders continuing to address unhealthy tendencies in expropriating land, the demolition of urban houses, reshuffling of state-owned enterprises and defaults on payments to migrant laborers from rural areas.

According to the meeting, various kinds of reform should be continuously pushed forward so as to prevent corruption at it root. Items subject to government approval should be streamlined and strictly regulated.

The meeting also orders severely penalizing leaders who violate laws and disciplines and officials that infringe upon the interests of the people.

According to the meeting, the State Council will hold the fourth work conference on building a clean government to make arrangements for the relevant work in 2006.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2006)