Xi slams defiant cliques within Party

By Cao Siqi Source:Global Times Published: 2016-5-4 0:18:01

Fugitive corrupt officials hot potatoes for West: Chinese president


Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to eliminate people who try to defy the ruling foundation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) from within, and who pose a risk to the country's political security.

"There are careerists and conspirators in our Party who undermine its governance. We should not bury our heads in the sand and spare them, but must eliminate the problem and deter further violations," said Xi in a speech published in Tuesday's edition of the People's Daily, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi said "some officials have been forming cabals and cliques to covertly defy the CPC Central Committee's decisions and policies," and that they "risk compromising the political security of the Party and the country."

According to Xi, some officials were found to have sought support and organized private activities to maintain their power, although they knew that they were not on the candidates list when their terms had expired.

Some even claimed they will enter Zhongnanhai - the headquarters of the CPC and the State Council - when they are alive and they will die at Babaoshan Cemetery, the final resting place of famous figures, Xi was quoted as saying in his speech.

"Xi's speech painted the current state of officialdom, in which some officials, especially high-ranking officials, were found to be pursuing not only financial interests but political ambitions," Li Danyang, a research fellow at the School of Public Administration of Guangzhou-based Jinan University, told the Global Times.

Li added that some Chinese officials believe they can only get promoted by "serving the people well," but their political ambitions can be more quickly achieved through close ties with high-ranking officials in such cliques.

"The problem is very serious and it will greatly affect public confidence in the ruling Party," said Li.

Xi also said that China supports international cooperation in fighting corruption and has asked Western countries not to provide shelter to corrupt officials, adding that they regard these suspects as "cards" in their hands, but have become "hot potatoes."

"Previously, Western countries saw corrupt officials as tools to attack China's corruption and human rights record. However, as the country's anti-corruption efforts gain strength, some countries, which have refused to deport the suspects, only end up humiliating themselves," said Li.

Xi also vowed to kick out "two-faced" Party members who promised to fight corruption but never reported problems.  

While CPC members are banned from making groundless comments about the central government, it doesn't mean members cannot criticize the Party, but rather comments on important political issues, liberalism or singing out of tune with the central government are not allowed, Xi added.



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