Eight provincial officials from Central China's Hubei Province have been removed from their posts due to incompetence, inaction or indolence, and 20 more were punished for their lackluster performance, according to reports on Tuesday. As the ongoing wide-reaching anti-corruption campaign has deepened, the problem of inactive officials is becoming worse in some regions. It is as bad a problem as corruption and should be dealt with seriously. 

Since Chinese President Xi Jinping came to power, with an awareness of the threat that corruption poses to the survival of the country and the Party, China has struck an iron-fist against graft. The campaign over the past three years has led to the arrest of hundreds of officials at or above vice ministerial or vice provincial levels, known as "tigers," and tens of thousands more "flies" at lower levels. However, amid the anti-graft storm, some officials have become dispirited and even inactive.

It's argued that corruption is a necessary lubricant for economic development, since cracking down on graft will frustrate officials and stagnate new projects. This is used as an excuse, disregarding the fact that only honest governance can create a fair playing field and reward businesses by merit and innovation.

Some Chinese officials, although earning an unattractive salary, in the past were able to reap benefits by taking advantage of their posts and power. But under the stern circumstances of a crackdown on corruption, they no longer dare use the unspoken rules of corruption and have become passive in carrying out their duties. If this sort of inaction continues, it will affect the efficiency of reform, impair the credibility of the Party and the government and impede economic development.

The central government has realized the severity of this problem. Last March, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, that officials found to be irresponsible and careless in exercising their duties must be punished. Government officials must be held accountable for their inaction or incompetence.

However, to better solve the problem, an effective stimulation mechanism also needs to be set up to boost officials' enthusiasm in carrying out their duties.

The rapid development China has sustained over the past three decades largely relies on an active official system. China now is facing myriad challenges in economic development. It particularly needs a vigorous officialdom system to sustain growth and motivate officials, which is as important as eradicating corruption from the official system.