Opinion: Zhou's probe cautions against taking chances with law

BEIJING - The announcement of the investigation of former senior official Zhou Yongkang has revealed the courage and resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to purify itself and run itself with strict discipline.

Top officials probed since 1978

Zhou's former colleagues under probe

Authorities announced on Tuesday that the CPC Central Committee has decided to place Zhou under investigation for suspected "serious disciplinary violation."

The investigation on Zhou, a former Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, will be conducted by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

While putting an end to the months-long speculation and hearsay about Zhou's case, the announcement also clearly terminated a myth among many people that senior leaders are regarded to be immune from the Party discipline regulation and the country's law enforcement.

However, as long as the problem of officials' misconduct exists, the drive to hunt both high-ranking "tigers" and low-ranking "flies" will never end.

Amid the campaign, no one is entitled to an impunity, and Zhou's case has once again warned the Party members and officials not to take chances with the Party's determination to enforce its discipline.

According to the CCDI, around 40 officials of provincial and ministerial level or higher have been investigated for corruption or other serious disciplinary violations since November 2012.

Among them were Xu Caihou, former vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, and Su Rong, then vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

Before the Party discipline, all members are equal and nobody will be made an exception.

An article to be published in Wednesday's People's Daily, the CPC's flagship newspaper, warns that when it comes to the law and Party discipline, no one should bet on the odds of escape and entertain the illusion that there is some kind of "safe box".

Zhou's case is another declaration that there should be no power exercised outside the "cage" and there should be no CPC member whose behaviors can stay outside the jurisdiction of the law and discipline, it says.

Efforts to ensure that its discipline is well observed is particularly necessary for the CPC, the ruling party of China with a membership of over 86 million.

It should also be noted that despite the CPC's efforts, problems of its members' corruption and misconduct are still grave, posing challenges to the Party.

The fight against the problem will be no easy job, calling for greater courage, commitment, exertion and constant vigilance by all members.

However, only by properly handling it can the Party grow stronger and more potent to lead China's development.