Xi calls for "strong remedies" to cure corruption

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivers an important speech at the fifth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged discipline officials to take a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, saying "strong remedies must be continuously used to cure the illness."

Xi made the remarks at the fifth plenary session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which opened on Monday, while introducing 2015's four-point discipline work requirements.

Xi urged discipline officials to hold corrupt officials accountable for their actions, strengthen responsibility for the building of the Party at all levels and further improve systems.

Efforts to rectify the four undesirable workstyles of formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance, which were listed by the CPC in its "mass line" campaign that ended last October, should continue, Xi said.

He called for further development of long-term mechanisms and strengthened supervision.

Misconduct, Xi said, must be dealt with accordingly and a zero-tolerance attitude to corruption must be taken at all times.

"Our determination to use strong remedies to cure illness will not change. Our courage to rid our bones of poison will not diminish. We will also continue to hold the sharp sword of countercorruption high," Xi added.

The president underscored that Party discipline system reform must continue full steam ahead with enhanced institutional innovation and supervision.