A significant reform is taking place in China's political structure. In the next few days, a completely new state organ, called the National Supervisory Commission, is expected to be established, with its chief elected and senior officials appointed at the ongoing first session of the 13th National People's Congress. The commission will serve as an anti-corruption organ, with a position equal to the State Council, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. That is to say, China's state institutional system will be reinforced with the addition of the National Supervisory Commission to the existing triad of the abovementioned political bodies.

What specific responsibilities will the newly established commission undertake in the future? In brief, its duties will include supervising, investigating and dealing with government employees' violations of law and discipline, such as embezzlement, bribery and abuse of power. Following the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a nationwide anti-corruption campaign was launched with powerful force. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China has since played a critical role in this regard, particularly in overseeing and disciplining Party members and government officials. However, not all those who exercise public power are Party members or civil servants.

The newly established supervisory commission will share offices and other resources with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and supervise the exercise of public power by all government employees. Notably, the commission will operate at multiple levels, with branches starting from the national level all the way down to the county level. This means no area will be missed by the supervisory network.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the government has never ceased to explore ways to monitor the use of power and to combat corruption. In the initial years, a series of forceful campaigns were launched to fight corruption and curb lavish lifestyles, creating a strong deterrent for corrupt officials. However, after the country introduced the reform and opening-up policy in 1978, profound changes have taken place in the country's economy and society, with the pattern of interests in society growing increasingly complicated. Today, it has become impossible to curb corruption by campaigns alone. So in an attempt to solve the problem, China has directed its energy into institutional improvement.

Corruption remains a serious problem in all countries. The solution rests not in rule by a single-party or multi-party system, but in effective control over the exercise of power. The establishment of the commission makes the supervisory organ independent from the legislative, judicial and administrative bodies, a choice made on the basis of past attempts, and unique among the practices of other countries. What changes the commission will bring about in the governance of the country is worth looking forward to.

China Mosaic

http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm

China's political reform: the establishment of the National Supervisory Commission

http://www.china.org.cn/video/2018-03/15/content_50710498.htm

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