Officials should not be lazy, and should be clean

Criminal justice: Felons convicted of serious corruption would be prohibited from seeking shorter sentences, under a third reading of the draft amendment to the Criminal Law. The amendment aims to "safeguard judicial fairness". [Photo/China Daily]

The State Council, China's Cabinet, recently published the results of its second national inspection that commenced in June. In all, 59 officials in seven provinces were given disciplinary penalties for failing in their duties. Comments:

Many officials were active in promoting local development in the past because they would profit from the investment via corruption. Three years into the harsh anti-graft campaign launched by the top leadership, officials have found their channels for illicit gains cut off, so they lack the motivation to promote development. It is time to draft a new regulatory system that, while effectively curbing corruption, would also give officials better chances of promotion if they boost development and punish them if they fail in their duties.

cnhubei.com, Sept 1

Bureaucrats are required to remain clean, and the ongoing anti-corruption campaign launched by the top leadership has stopped corruption from spreading. But many have forgotten that they are required to do their jobs, too, because they are paid with taxpayers' money and the latter as bosses hope to see their money being spent on something useful. It is hoped the State Council's inspection and the penalties imposed on the 59 officials will urge other officials to do their jobs well.

sohu.com, Aug 31

As well as the officials that were punished, the State Council also praised certain officials in 20 provinces who have done their jobs well. Obviously, the nation is under pressure from the economic slowdown and the leadership is considering how to maintain growth while keeping a stern hand on corruption. That's a huge job, let's hope they can do it well.

ifeng.com, via WeChat official account, Aug 31

(China Daily 09/03/2015 page8)