China’s top graft-buster on Thursday said it would continue to turn up the heat on corruption as part of broader efforts to create a better business environment, warning that “no one is untouchable”.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection remarks came two days after it said that the number of officials facing disciplinary action was up more than 50 per cent in the first quarter from the same time last year.
The CCDI made the remarks in a commentary in its official newspaper, China Discipline Inspection and Supervision News.
“The thinking that the anti-corruption campaign will affect economic development and dampen cadres’ enthusiasm is wrong and harmful,” the commentary said, pushing back against voices that have called for an easing in the campaign so that officials have more room for economy-boosting policies.
“Fairness and justice are crucial conditions for the healthy development of the economy and society, and corruption is the greatest injustice,” it said.
“Resolutely punishing corruption is a powerful measure to create a market-oriented, law-based and internationalised business environment and to maintain and promote social fairness and justice.”
