BEIJING: The Communist Party of China’s efforts over the past 10 years to severely punish misconduct and corruption that occur “at people’s doorsteps” have led to an increase in the sense of gain and happiness among the people, observers said.
During the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which was concluded on Jan 10, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered an important speech.
Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for advancing the Party’s self-reform and winning the tough and protracted battle against corruption.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining a tough stance against corruption and said that firm action must be taken to deal with corrupt low-ranking officials, so that the people can have a stronger sense of gain.
Under Xi’s leadership, an overwhelming victory has been achieved in the fight against corruption, with the reports of the 19th National Congress of the CPC in 2017 and the 20th National Congress of the CPC in 2022 highlighting the intensification of efforts to address corruption issues affecting the people and to punish grassroots corruption.
Zhang Zhisheng, a 48-year-old deliveryman from Henan province who works in Beijing, has noticed improvements in the health sector as the result of a nationwide anti-corruption campaign in the past few years.
He said that once, about a decade ago, he had been asked for bribes when seeking medical treatment for family members. Describing such behavior as abhorrent, Zhang said fewer doctors dare to accept bribes nowadays.“The positive changes should be attributed to the intensified supervision and anti-corruption efforts,” he said. “This prevents ordinary people from suffering.” The health sector has been a key focus for anti-corruption efforts in recent years, with many hospital leaders placed under investigation.
In March, Luo Yong, the former president of Tanzhou People’s Hospital in Zhongshan, Guangdong province, was placed under investigation on suspicion of accepting bribes and kickbacks totaling almost 30 million yuan ($4.2 million). Luo stood trial in June, with the court verdict pending.
According to disciplinary agencies in Guangdong, Luo’s removal from office in November 2022 resulted in significant reductions in the costs of hospital procurement and outpatient treatment, with the average cost of an outpatient visit falling 16.6 percent. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
