China hardens line on corruption
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China is hardening its line on corruption ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China.
Late last month, three separate corruption cases involving former provincial and ministerial officials suspected of taking bribes and abusing official power moved further toward final verdicts.
Huang Songyou, former vice president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), was stripped of his membership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for corruption, said the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Aug. 21.
Huang, 51, was also dismissed from all his official positions. He is the first SPC chief judge in China to be removed for suspected violations of law and discipline.
Investigators say Huang misused his power to enable profit for concerned people in return for a "huge amount" of bribes, illegally accepting money as presents and living a "corrupt" life.
His case has been handed over to prosecutors.
Chen Shaoji, former top political adviser of south China's Guangdong Province, has been expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office for "severe discipline violations," the CCDI said on Aug. 27.
Chen, 64, is suspected of using his position to seek interests for the people on his side in return for a "large sum" of money. It is further alleged he lived a corrupt life. His case has been referred for prosecution.
Wang Huayuan, a provincial official in east China's Zhejiang Province, has been expelled from the CPC and dismissed from public office over corruption charges, the CCDI said on Aug. 24.
The former member of the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CPC had been investigated for alleged "grave violations of discipline and laws."
Wang, 61, was found abusing his position to look for interests for his accomplices. In return, he and his family members received a "large sum" of money and expensive gifts, it is alleged.
It is further alleged he went abroad repeatedly to gamble and that he "lived a corrupt life."
Observers say the CPC is showing its resolution to fight corruption, especially because of the upcoming celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The Party says corruption is a "challenge" to building its capacity and capability.
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