China's Efforts to Combat Corruption and Build a Clean Government

VII. Education in Clean Government and Construction of a Culture of Integrity

Education is a basic work for the fight against corruption and construction of a clean government. Over the years, China has unremittingly carried out education among state functionaries in performing official duties with integrity and strengthened the construction of a culture of integrity throughout the country to enhance in state functionaries a sense of integrity and self-discipline and foster throughout the society the fine tradition of upholding integrity.

China makes educating Party members and state functionaries in state laws and regulations as well as Party and government discipline a routine work in anti-corruption education. The Politburo of the CPC Central Committee regularly organizes group studies of the law, which has played an exemplary role in enhancing the legal awareness of the general public, especially Party members and state functionaries. It has now become a rule for Party organizations at all levels and state organs to hold group studies. The Chinese government energetically promotes nationwide education in general knowledge of the law. Since 1986, it has successively carried out five five-year plans of such education among all citizens, especially state functionaries, with over 800 million people receiving such education in different forms, thus enhancing the awareness of the general public in the rule of law and the sense of the state organs and state functionaries in accepting supervision during their performance of official duties.

China attaches importance to education and training in integrity among state functionaries, fortifying in them the ideological and moral defense line against corruption. The Regulations for Cadre Education and Training (Trial) and a nationwide plan for cadre education and training have been worked out, which designate education in performing official duties with integrity as a key content of such education and training. Education in performance of official duties with integrity has been incorporated into the teaching plans of the CPC's Party schools and the government's schools of administration at all levels, as well as other organizations of cadre training, making it a required course for leading cadres of all levels. China has established 50 national bases for education in clean government and compiled related textbooks, and has carried out targeted on-the-job education and training in this regard. Training in performance of official duties with integrity has been held for newly elected or appointed leading cadres and newly recruited state functionaries before they take their offices, and files have been established for such training. In some provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government), examinations in laws and regulations related to clean government are held for those before they are selected to take leading positions, and passing such examinations has been taken as one important qualification for such positions. As a measure of precaution, talks related to clean government will be held with the would-be leading cadres before they assume office.

China emphasizes the demonstrative education with examples and admonishing education. It publicizes exemplary Party members and state functionaries and their deeds through news media, films and TV programs, and holding meetings to publicize their meritorious deeds. By compiling educational materials of typical cases, shooting films warning people against corrupt behavior, establishing education bases, holding relevant exhibitions and organizing corrupt officials to give speeches from their own experiences, it whets Party members, cadres and state functionaries' awareness against corruption. It also uses typical cases to educate people, thereby punishing one as an example to others.

China devotes major efforts to promoting the construction of a culture of integrity, advocating the moral values honoring integrity and disgracing corruption. The Opinions on Strengthening Construction of a Culture of Integrity has been worked out to promote the culture of integrity in offices, communities, households, schools, enterprises and rural villages. Attention has been paid to carrying on the quintessence of the culture of integrity in the fine traditions of Chinese nation and presenting the rich connotations of the integrity culture by means of literature and art, films and TV series, calligraphy and painting exhibitions, and ads for public good. A number of outstanding works advocating the culture of integrity have been produced and they give expression to inspiring themes, the spirit of the times and humane care. Rich in content and varied in form, these cultural activities are popular among the people, and they sing praises of the Chinese nation's fine tradition of upholding integrity, showcase fruitful achievements in the construction of integrity culture, and further promote the development of such construction.

China attaches importance to education among youngsters in integrity by offering such courses in many primary and secondary schools, and universities, supplying relevant teaching materials, and specialized teachers sometimes. Meanwhile, full use is made of such extracurricular activities as summer and winter camps for primary and high school students, and social practices and campus cultural construction for university students to carry out education in integrity, so as to foster among youngster the fine moral values of being incorruptible, honest and law-abiding as well as the sense of the rule of law.