China's top discipline watchdog opens up to foreign diplomats
0 
About 50 foreign diplomats caught a close glimpse of the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s top disciplinary body Wednesday, learning about the progress of the Party's anti-corruption efforts.
The opening day of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) for foreign diplomats in China is perceived as a gesture that the Communist Party is opening up.
"The body, throwing its doors open to the international community, will help the world to better understand China's effort in building a clean government and fighting against corruption, which we've been long looking forward to," said Ethiopian Ambassador to Beijing Seyoum Mesfin.
The two-hour program included a trip to the departments of education and publicity, laws and regulations, case proceedings, an anti-corruption exhibition as well as a function with the organization's officials.
The CCDI, the top discipline inspection organ of the CPC, is elected by the Party's National Congress and served for a five-year term. Its key tasks include checking the implementation of the lines and principles of the Party and supervising the exercise of power by Party members holding leading positions.
Gudadi Bambang Sasongko, counsellor with the Indonesian Embassy to China, after the tour said that all the different departments integrated together proved to be an impressive force, much stronger than any individual unit.
"Indonesia has a special organ to combat corruption, the Commission of Corruption Eradication (KPK). We hope to learn from China's experiences," Sasongko said.
From January to November 2010, the Party's disciplinary watchdogs investigated 119,000 graft cases, resulting in the punishment of 113,000 people, of whom 4,332 were prosecuted.
China's first ever white paper on the nation's anti-graft efforts, released in late 2010, warned that the task of curbing corruption remains arduous as China has undergone dramatic economic and social change, and the ideas and concepts of the people have changed, leading to increased social conflict.
