Anti-graft campaign to last 'at least 5 years'

China's anti-corruption chief said the central government's ongoing campaign against extravagance and corruption will continue for at least five years.

In a speech delivered at the seventh meeting of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Standing Committee, held in Beijing on Aug 25, Wang Qishan, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said the fight against corruption is a war that "the nation cannot afford to lose".

The central government's fight against lavishness and graft began in November 2012, when President Xi Jinping took office.

The August meeting was held to discuss the implementation of Xi's eight rules to promote austerity and fight bureaucracy and extravagance. Wang said the rules will change official work styles and win over the public, Phoenix Satellite Television reported on Thursday.

He emphasized that the next phase of the campaign will strengthen officials' attitudes against corruption.

Zhu Lijia, a professor of public administration at the Chinese Academy of Governance, said Wang's speech laid out the country's anti-corruption road map.

"Within five years, officials stance on corruption will change dramatically, and after five years, a comprehensive corruption prevention system will be established," Zhu said.

At the meeting, Wang also criticized the Chinese tradition of giving mooncakes, which he said creates opportunities for corruption to occur. He noted that cellphones, jewelry and money are often hidden inside mooncake boxes or baskets.

Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Monday, is an occasion for families to reunite and eat mooncakes.

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection opened a "special tipoff section" on its website in early August inviting people to report officials who are spending lavishly or using public funds to buy gifts during the festival. Officials found in violation of the rules will be named in a weekly report on the commission's website.

wangqian@chinadaily.com.cn