Officials' assets in spotlight

By Zheng Caixiong in Guangzhou (China Daily) Updated: 2012-12-10 00:20

Shixing county in the northern part of Guangdong has also taken the lead of the city of Shaoguan in requiring all officials at township-level or above, to report their assets.

Wang Yuyun, a professor from Guangdong Provincial Party School, said introducing the project demonstrates Guangdong's determination in the battle against corruption.

"The project will strengthen the supervision of officials and the effects (of the project) are expected to be worthwhile," Wang said.

Han Zhipeng, a local political adviser in Guangzhou, said the project, which places officials under the scrutiny of society and media, further standardizes the code of conduct of Party and government officials and makes government operations more transparent.

"But governments at all levels should still try to prevent the centralization of power by senior officials to help keep corruption in check," said Han, a member of the Guangzhou Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The project is being introduced after five high-ranking officials were placed under investigation in the past six weeks.

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