Chinese lawmakers urge amplified anti-corruption efforts to maintain social stability

Source: Xinhua | 03-11-2009 08:18

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China's Prosecutor-General Cao Jianming said Tuesday that 2,687 government officials were investigated last year for graft, malfeasance and infringement on people's rights, including four at the province or ministry level.

A total of 10,315 cases of commercial bribery were committed by government workers, involving more than 2.1 billion yuan, Cao said.

The figures cast concerns among Chinese lawmakers who demanded anti-corruption be prioritized for the sake of China's social stability amid the financial crisis.

Anti-corruption ranked the most concerned issue at the annual sessions of China's parliament, according to an online survey conducted by Xinhua.com and peoplesdaily.com.

"The Chinese people attached so much importance to the anti-corruption cause when we are coping with the financial meltdown, and why?" Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said during his two-hour chat with netizens on Feb. 28.