The disciplinary watchdog of the Communist Party of China ( CPC) pledged a heavier crackdown on corruption and other acts that violate CPC discipline, according to a work report released on Monday.

"The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC punished 115,143 members last year, accounting for 1.7 per thousand of total Party membership," according to the commission's work report that was delivered by secretary Wu Guanzheng at the commission's Sixth Plenary Session on January 5.

About 15,177 errant members have been handed over to judicial departments for suspected involvement in criminal activities, the report read.

The report also disclosed that disciplinary organs at various levels put on file for investigation 147,539 cases involving violations of CPC discipline from December 2004 to November 2005. Of these cases, 148,931 cases have been closed, which resulted in the expulsion of 24,188 members from the CPC.

According to the report, 4,878 officials nationwide admitted they owned stakes in coalmines, with a total registered capital of 737 million yuan (US$91 million). Of this, 562 million yuan (US$69.4 million) had been withdrawn by November 2005.

"A campaign to make government officials and leaders of state-owned enterprises give up their shares in coalmines has achieved initial success," Wu said.

Wu also announced that disciplinary organs at various levels had dealt with 21,010 complaints involving administrative licensing and penalized 2,845 CPC members for their roles in such cases.

China put in force the Administrative Licensing Law in 2004 to simplify the administrative licensing procedure and regulate the use of administrative power, considered key to reducing corruption.

According to the report, the CPC's disciplinary organs punished 240 officials at and above the county level responsible for 115 serious accidents.

The report listed major tasks of the commission in 2006, which include:

-- Maintaining the CPC's discipline by actively performing its obligation of discipline watchdog to safeguard the building of a harmonious society.

-- Improving the working style of the Party and rectifying unhealthy performances that harm the interests of the people.

-- Educating leading cadres in the importance of maintaining integrity and fighting corruption.

-- Strictly enforcing Party discipline by resolutely punishing officials who have violated that discipline.

-- Deepening reform and improving the current system to stem corruption at its source.

-- Strengthening the check on and supervision over the use of power.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2006)