China will make redoubled efforts to fight against corruption in
land use, work safety and the property sector in 2007, according to
a circular released by China's Ministry of Supervision.
In the circular, outlining the ministry's work priorities for
the year, the ministry said it would continue to clamp down on
negligence and abuse of power by government officials, and will
cooperate closely with judicial departments to deal with
offenders.
The circular said the country would focus on cases involving
government officials using their position to grant use of land to
private developers and interfering with biddings for housing
construction projects for their own gains.
It also vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into work
safety accidents, such as coal mine accidents, caused by illegal
investment and collusion between corrupt officials and business
people.
The circular did not reveal details of possible punishments.
A report on China's procuratorial work in 2006 says Chinese
prosecutors investigated allegations of corruption, bribery and
neglect of duty against 40,041 government employees, of whom 29,966
were prosecuted.
(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2007)