IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Beijing

Rule takes aim at poor performers

The Communist Party of China issued a new regulation on Friday aimed at ensuring that poorly performing officials are demoted or fired. While China has meted out tough punishments ranging from sackings to jail time for corrupt officials, those who simply do their jobs halfheartedly rarely suffer any consequences. The new rules, which will enter a trial run, stipulate that officials who don't adhere to Party rules or are corrupt, irresponsible, incompetent or "with undesirable work styles" will be subjected to "organizational adjustment", a euphemism for demotion or losing one's job.