DATE=3/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-CORRUPTION (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260052
BYLINE=STEPHANIE MANN
DATELINE=BEIJING
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China's top legal officials have pledged to
strengthen efforts to crack down on corruption. VOA
Correspondent Stephanie Mann reports from Beijing, the
nation's highest judge and top prosecutor told the
annual session of China's legislature that lawbreakers
will be punished -- no matter who they are.
TEXT: The President of China's Supreme People's Court
Xiao Yang says more than 15-thousand-700 people were
sentenced last year for corruption-related crimes.
These included crimes of graft, bribery, and
misappropriation of public funds.
In his report to the National People's Congress, Mr.
Xiao said among the people receiving sentences were
two officials at the ministerial level.
Mr. Xiao was interrupted by applause eight times
during his speech, mostly during his remarks on the
problem of corruption. He singled out the recent case
of Hu Changqing, the former deputy governor of Jiangxi
province, who was executed this week for amassing a
fortune through illegal bribes.
Mr. Xiao said the Supreme People's Court will punish
severely and without mercy anyone who commits economic
crimes.
China's top prosecutor, Procurator-General Han Zhubin,
also addressed the Congress, and said the anti-
corruption campaign will intensify. He said it will
focus on cases involving high-level officials and
large sums of money. Whoever is involved in bribe-
taking and smuggling -- Mr. Han said -- will be
brought to justice, with no exceptions.
The problem of corruption has spread dramatically as
China has implemented reforms and moved toward a
market economy. Corruption has been a constant theme
in the speeches and discussions at the current session
of the National People's Congress. One of the biggest
corruption cases has not been discussed openly,
however. That involves billions of dollars in fuel
oil and other products smuggled through the
southeastern port of Xiamen. The case reportedly
involves figures close to some of China's top leaders.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SMN/FC/PLM
10-Mar-2000 06:13 AM EDT (10-Mar-2000 1113 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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