|
 Xi, in lengthy remarks to the ruling Communist Party's anti-graft
watchdog, echoed comments he has made before and stressed the
importance he has placed on tackling official abuse, which is a
major source of public discontent.
Xi has made fighting pervasive graft a central theme since becoming
president last March and has warned, like others before him, that
corruption threatens the party's survival.
"Xi Jinping stressed that while we affirm our achievements, we must
also see that the fertile ground for corruption still exists," state
broadcaster CCTV said.
"The anti-corruption situation remains grim and complicated, the
unhealthy influence of the corruption problem is malignant and needs
to be solved quickly," CCTV cited Xi as saying.
Xi said the party must "continue to beat the tigers and flies
together" — meaning both high-flying politicians and lowly
bureaucrats — to tackle corruption and "take drastic medicine to
cure its ills".
Xi urged improving channels for people to report on graft and
strengthening supervision and transparency.
China hailed its crackdown on corruption last week, saying "new
progress and achievements" had led to a 13.3 percent increase in the
number of people punished last year. But critics argue that lasting
results are unlikely without meaningful reform.
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China has detained at least 16 activists who have called for
officials to disclose their assets, according to rights groups,
which say the detentions underscore the limits of the government's
fight against corruption.
(Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee; editing by Robert Birsel)
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