No graft escapes arm of law

Anti-corruption drive now covers retired officials to strengthen the rule of law and ensure that offenders don't go unpunished

The Ministry of Supervision announced on Oct 11 that Zhao Shaolin, former chief of the Jiangsu provincial committee of the Party, has been put under investigation for corruption, drawing widespread attention because Zhao retired eight years ago. The announcement reiterated that the anti-corruption campaign would not spare retired officials.

A few provinces have already taken measures to strengthen supervision over retired officials and order probes against those suspected of being involved in corruption. At a recent press conference of the Guangzhou municipal disciplinary agency, its spokesman Mei Heqing said that some retired officials had been penalized for the corrupt deeds they committed 20 years ago. "They are gray-haired but still have to be responsible for their misdeeds," Mei said, adding that corrupt officials, serving or retired, must be punished according to the law.