Discipline agency vows timely corruption report

BEIJING - The anti-graft agency of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will report corruption cases in a timely manner on its new website and will possibly open a microblog amid efforts for transparency, an official said Thursday.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC and the Ministry of Supervision jointly opened the official website, http://www.ccdi.gov.cn/, on September 2. for better communication and interaction with the public.

A section of the website will report cases being investigated by disciplinary authorities of all levels, especially serious ones handled by the CCDI's supervision department, said Cui Shaopeng, general secretary of the commission.

The website was launched upon the proposal of Wang Qishan, head of the commission, said Cui during an online interview on the website.

The website is smart phone and tablet friendly. Mobile application services will be introduced so that the public can get access more easily, said Cui.

"The website is preparing to open an official microblog and Wechat service (a social networking platform) when the situation is ripe," he said.

The website will carry interviews following the supervision department's key work or if there are public concerns. The department's senior officials, members of the CPC Central Committee and experts will be invited for the interviews, he added.

As the only official website of the CCDI's supervision department, it will not carry any advertising or seek sponsors. Also, there are no branches in local areas.

"It has been reported that some fake journalists or websites are operating illegally under the name of our website," Cui said. "We welcome netizens reporting such behaviors and we will investigate the cases."

The website consists of ten sections, including an online forum where the public can leave their opinions and proposals as well as ask questions about anti-corruption work. There is also a section for tip-offs about corruption cases. The website will publish latest information of important meetings, campaigns and investigations of graft.

When asked about retaliation that reporters of corruption cases might face, Cui said the authorities will protect reporters' safety according to the law.

"Those who take revenge against online whistleblowers will be punished seriously," he said.

He also said reporters should be responsible for the information they provide. "Do not slander others or report based on hearsay."

Cui said, "We encourage the public to report corruption cases under their real names and with accurate contact information. Such reports will be handled and responded to with priority."

The Chinese leadership is adopting more channels such as the Internet to strengthen anti-corruption efforts, with a number of high-level officials being punished or placed under investigation, some felled by online whistleblowers.

Liu Tienan, former deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, was investigated after a journalist disclosed his suspected economic violations.

In another case, Yang Dacai, former head of Shaanxi provincial work safety administration, was sentenced to 14 years in jail last week for taking bribes. His corruption was exposed after netizens posted a photograph of him smiling at the scene of a fatal road accident and then a series of photos showing him wear luxury watches.

Wang Yukai, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, said the website will play an important role as a platform for authorities and the public to interact with each other in the anti-corruption campaign ? and encourage people to report officials' wrongdoings in a more credible and timely way.