A number of motions aimed at fighting corruption and building a clean government are expected to be tabled at the upcoming "two sessions" -- the annual meetings of China's top legislature and political advisory body, according to observers.

 

Despite a number of high profile arrests on corruption charges, many experts agree that an effective system of checks and controls that prevent graft is urgently needed.

 

China is in dire need of a comprehensive institutional framework that will turn corruption into "a high-risk activity that provides skimpy returns," experts say.

 

They predict that motions on corruption prevention will be in the spotlight at the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) scheduled to open on March 5 and March 3 respectively.

 

The two sessions are considered the most important annual political events in China. This year the two sessions are particularly important as the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which convenes every five years, will take place in Beijing this fall.

 

Gan Yisheng, vice secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), revealed earlier that a state corruption prevention bureau that will attempt to stem graft at its source will soon be established.

 

A total of 97,260 Party members were punished last year, many of whom were found to have taken bribes or turned a blind eye to their duties.

 

Case files of 3,530 members were handed over to prosecutors, including Shanghai's former Party chief Chen Liangyu, who was also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

 

Other important issues such as expensive medical care, rising educational fees, soaring housing costs, scant social security coverage, mounting employment pressure and the low incomes of farmers, will also top the concerns of participants at the "two sessions", experts say.

 

Official websites, including xinhuanet.com and people.com.cn, have already opened forums to collect public opinion. The websites say there are no restrictions on discussion of "sensitive" issues.

 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also invited 12 ordinary residents to join the discussion of the government's work report which will be submitted to the NPC's annual session.

 

Grassroots public opinion will provide the basis for key discussions at the "two sessions", observers say.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2007)