China’s anti-graft chief to maintain ‘high-voltage’ stance

BEIJING — China’s anti-corruption chief pledged to maintain a “high-voltage” crackdown on corruption with a new round of inspection in 10 provinces and regions, including the power base of its former head of domestic security.

Mr Wang Qishan, secretary of its watchdog Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, told investigators to watch closely over corruption in mining, natural resources, land transfers, real estate development, construction projects, and public and special funds, said Xinhua.

They are tasked with uncovering malpractices such as the buying and selling of official positions, and addressing “naked officials”, those whose spouse and children have emigrated.

The second round of inquiries in 10 provinces and regions will include Sichuan, where former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang, who is under virtual house arrest, according to Reuters sources, once held the top party post.

At the peak of his influence, Mr Zhou held one of the most powerful positions in China, overseeing the police force, civilian intelligence apparatus, paramilitary People’s Armed Police, judges and prosecutors.

The other provincial-level regions targeted include Guangxi, Shanghai, Qinghai, Tibet, Zhejiang, Hebei, Shaanxi, Heilongjiang, Sichuan and Jiangsu.

China’s anti-graft drive which targets powerful “tigers” as well as lowly “flies”, referring to high and low ranking corrupt officials, has netted several senior figures with the latest expulsion of two more former senior officials.

The anti-corruption watchdog said Mr Mao Xiaobing, former party boss of the western city of Xining, and Mr Zhang Tianxin, former party chief of the southwestern city of Kunming, had “serious discipline problems”.

Mr Mao took advantage of his post to seek profits for others, demanded and took a huge amount of bribes and committed adultery, it said in a statement, while Mr Zhang had also abused his official position with his dereliction of duty causing “a loss of state assets”. Agencies