Ten taboos for Party members
No corruption, bribes, lobbying, telephone calls, messages or physical threats to influence new provincial appointments.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Two important organs of the Chinese Communist Party have issued a series of bans on secret contracts and corruption that could influence the upcoming restructuring of provincial leadership.

In a highly rhetoric, but frank style the Central Organisation Department and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection have issued “10 taboos”, almost 10 commandments, to be avoided during the provincial elections in the coming months.  Among these, it is forbidden to give presents, pay home visits or hold banquets to win support from colleagues. Even making phone calls or sending text messages related to the reshuffle to fellow cadres eligible to vote is prohibited.

Offering bribes in cash, gifts and stocks in exchange for government posts would be severely punished. Violent intimidation as well as the spreading of slander regarding another member even via internet, to disqualify a candidate has also been strictly forbidden.

Candidates were also banned from organising class reunions or gatherings of ex-soldiers to prevent officials from forming cliques.

The Party will send 20 supervision taskforces to different regions to ensure the rules were observed.

In the coming months the leadership in many provinces, will expire at the end of their 5 year appointment and they will be called to take up other posts.  The new appointments will be formalised at the National People’s Assembly.

Corruption in China is a type of cancer and for some time now Communist Party Leaders’ have become aware that it has become so widespread that it is seriously undermining the very survival of the Party.