Fight graft the right way

The disciplinary authority of the Communist Party of China vowed to use much harsher measures to combat the pervasive corruption of Chinese officials. The crux of the combat is prevention through rule of law, but not punishment through administrative systems, says an article in Beijing Youth Daily. Excerpts:

The CPC will establish a comprehensive anti-corruption system to cage powers with long-term effects. It is a good beginning for Chinese authorities to squarely face the daunting challenge confronting it.

History indicates that the most effective and ultimate mechanism to combat graft and abuse of power is through rule of law and the balance of power.

Replacing the case-by-case style of combat against graft with a systematic anti-corruption plan featuring transparency and harsh punishments is progress for China. Yet the ultimate goal for China is to prevent graft and deter corruption through law and the balance of power.

The disciplinary authority pledged recently to conduct spot check of the officials' reports about their personal affairs, including properties and family members. This internal reporting system was established in 1987 in China. But the system did not require a spot check of the officials' reports before, making the system almost useless in the fight against corruption.

This change is a milestone in China's fight with corruption. But the whole process should be transparent for the public, or it will not make any difference.

China should make its people's congress and judicial system functioning supervisors for the Party and the government. Fighting graft in the Party and the government should not be the business of the Party and the government themselves, but the other powerful and independent watchdogs as well.

If the Party and the government monopolize the power to fight corruption, they are actually sowing seeds of graft in the long term.