644,000 punished since 2012 for violating Party rules on frugality

About 4.71 million people were placed under investigation for suspected violation of Party disciplines and laws from the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012 to the end of April, an official said on Thursday.

Some 644,000 people involved in 723,000 cases who violated rules on frugality were punished during that period, Wang Jianxin, an official with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC and the National Supervisory Commission, told a news conference on Thursday.

As a major force against corruption, discipline inspection and supervisory authorities across the country have always made the strict governance of the Party a priority.

"We'll continue the effort in this anti-graft fight and take the initiative to meet new challenges in this field," Wang said.