China's streamlined inspection system targets central organs

China's top discipline watchdog is planning fewer but more efficient inspection agencies to cover all central Party and government organs.

Forty-seven agencies directly answering to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will be tasked with checking 139 central organs for misconduct, according to a plan made public Tuesday by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.

Twenty-seven of the agencies will be mandated to inspect multiple targets, in a move the CCDI said demands more efficiency from inspectors.

"These agencies have direct ties with only one department but supervise more, which makes them less attached and thus more independent. It's easier for them to focus on their work," said Yang Xiaodu, vice secretary of the CCDI.

Five such agencies were put to work from the start of 2015.

"Central Party and government organs are the nerve center of our country's governance system and must be absolutely loyal to the Party. However, it is a fact that some are tainted, and the anti-corruption situation there is arduous and complicated," Yang said.

Leading officials of targeted organs were urged to support and cooperate with the inspectors while encouraging subordinates to follow laws and regulations.

Yang said both incompetent central organ officials and inspectors failing to spot and report misconduct will be questioned and punished.

"Only the brave and responsible can be appointed heads of inspection agencies, and they must devote undivided attention to disciplinary inspection and not have other jobs distract them," he said.

Yang described close scrutiny of the 380,000 Party members at central Party and government organs as "the best example of strict management of the CPC," urging provincial discipline inspectors to follow suit.