'Unexpected' investigation shows anti-graft move has zero tolerance

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the 6th plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, Jan 12, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

WANG BAO'AN, head of the National Bureau of Statistics, is being investigated for "severe disciplinary violations", the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China announced on Tuesday. Wang, also secretary of the leading Party branch of the bureau, was put under investigation just hours after he showed up at a routine news briefing. Beijing News on Thursday applauded the investigation as a clear message of deterrence to all would-be corrupt officials:

That Wang's investigation came just a few hours after his public appearance is both unexpected, yet foreseeable, given the country's ever strong determination to rule out corruption.

It sends a clear signal to all civil servants that the anti-corruption practice is all-weather and has absolutely "zero tolerance" toward their misdeeds.

That being said, any officials suspected of violating relevant laws and the Party rules can be expected to be held accountable for their misconduct in a more timely and "unexpected" manner.

That explains why the 52-year-old Wang is being investigated even as the Chinese Lunar New Year approaches. The festival is traditionally an occasion for family reunions.

Apparently, he and his family have no reason to celebrate the annual festival. Should he have been engaged in any wrongdoing, others involved with his illegal interests should also be feeling anxious as they will be aware that they will be ultimately caught in the anti-corruption net.

If his misconduct is eventually confirmed, Wang deserves no sympathy at all. Likewise nor does anyone else involved.