Some hobby-based cliques turned into channels for offering, accepting bribes
China's top anti-corruption watchdogs have reiterated opposition to cliques and political and interest groups within the Communist Party of China, calling for all Party members to be vigilant about avoiding such organizations.
The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Commission of Supervision, which serve in tandem as the nation's top anti-corruption watchdogs, restated their opposition to cliques on their website on Tuesday after a former high-ranking official, accused of seriously violating Party discipline and the law, was placed under investigation.
The purpose of those who create these circles is not to make friends or enjoy a hobby. Instead, what they want is to benefit from the power they can gain from the circles.
CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Commission of Supervision
On April 19, Chen Yiguo, former Party chief and chairman of the Hubei Changjiang Publishing and Media Group, was expelled from the CPC and dismissed from public office after it was discovered that he supported what is referred to in China as "circle culture".
According to the watchdogs, circle culture refers to people forming interest groups in the hopes of holding on to their power and influence over other members.
It noted that some cliques set up wine, mahjong or fishing circles with people who enjoy these hobbies, and then take advantage of the relationships formed to offer or accept bribes.
"The purpose of those who create these circles is not to make friends or enjoy a hobby. Instead, what they want is to benefit from the power they can gain from the circles," it said, adding that Party members should avoid engaging in this kind of behavior.
During the second plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection held in Beijing in January, the watchdogs stressed that no leniency would be given to those who run these groups within the Party.
A ban on the formation of cliques, or circles, within the Party can be found in an intra-Party regulation on political culture. Leaders have repeatedly emphasized the need for Party members to closely follow the regulation.
"Party organizations and Party members must oppose and prevent circle culture," the watchdogs stated on their website, noting that this kind of culture can cause serious damage to the intra-Party political environment.
It called for Party officials to lead by example and avoid cliques, adding that the senior members will be the primary targets of investigations.
Chen was one of several other former members placed under investigation for being involved in cliques.
For instance, Hu Zelong, a former senior Party official with the administration service management bureau in Tianfu New Area in Sichuan province, was investigated in May 2021. He was removed from the Party and public office six months later due to his support for circle culture and for seriously violating Party discipline and the law.
In March last year, he was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for corruption and bribery and fined 1.2 million yuan ($173,200).
caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn