China's top graft-buster exposes decadent officials ahead of Spring Festival

The Communist Party of China (CPC)'s top disciplinary agency on Wednesday named and shamed officials in eight cases of violations as part of a major anti-decadence campaign.

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) released the names of over 10 officials involved in embezzlement of public funds, use of public funds for banquets and private tours, accepting bribes, and falsifying invoices, among other violations.

Punishments for those on the list include warnings, demotions, and expulsion from the CPC or public office.

In one case, Xia Xinghua, former vice director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, was expelled from the CPC for playing golf in Beijing and Xiamen and going on sightseeing using funds of subordinate units.

In another case, Chen Haowen, former senior Party official of the forestry bureau of northwest China's Gansu Province, was expelled from the CPC and removed from public office for accepting more than 400,000 yuan (58,500 U.S. dollars) of cash gift at his father's funeral.

Chen took another 185,000 yuan since December 2012 during festivals and inspections. His case has been transferred to judicial organs.

An eight-point rule was introduced by the CPC leadership at the end of 2012 to fight bureaucracy, formalism and extravagance among Party members.

The CCDI ordered local inspectors to step up supervision and discipline ahead of Spring Festival and continue to expose decadent officials.

China's Spring Festival, or the lunar new year, falls on Jan. 28 this year. Endi