Despite a number of high-profile arrests on corruption charges, many experts agree that an effective system of checks and controls to prevent graft are urgently needed.

China is in dire need of a comprehensive institutional framework that will turn corruption into "a high-risk activity that provides little return".

They predicted that motions on corruption prevention would be in the spotlight at the annual sessions of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and National People's Congress (NPC) scheduled to open on March 3 and March 5 respectively.

The two sessions are considered the most important annual political events in China. This year the two sessions are particularly important as the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which convenes every five years, will take place in Beijing this autumn.

A total of 97,260 Party members were punished last year.

(China Daily 02/24/2007 page2)