Chen's ouster wins wide public support
By Zhao Huanxin in Beijing and Zhang Yu in Shanghai (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-09-27 07:01

Former Shanghai Party chief Chen Liangyu is the subject of a "thorough investigation" and if found guilty, will be dealt with according to the law and Party disciplinary procedures, a senior official said yesterday in Beijing.

Gan Yisheng, secretary-general of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said the decision of the CPC Central Committee to dismiss Chen from his post has received wide public support.

"The overwhelming majority of the officials and the people are firmly supportive of the investigation of the case involving the social security fund," Gan told a press conference held by the State Council Information Office.

Chen is alleged to be involved in the misuse of more than 3 billion yuan (US$380 million) from the 10 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) Shanghai social security fund.

During the investigation, the commission found that Chen had committed "grave violations of Party discipline," according to Gan.

He reiterated the Party's long-standing anti-corruption policy that "any member who violates Party discipline, no matter how high or low his or her rank, will be thoroughly investigated and seriously dealt with."

"The top leaders of the CPC Central Committee are working together to fight corruption," he said.

"We will continue to make the investigations open to the public," Gan said. "We should draw lessons from the case and prevent more corruption."

The official said he believed that the investigation of such high-profile cases would promote reform and development in Shanghai, improve the Party's working style, and contribute to clean and honest governance.

The effort will also help maintain harmony, social stability, and growth momentum in the country's commercial hub, and usher in a more brilliant future for the city, he added.

Meanwhile, the more than 3 billion yuan (US$380 million) misused is "now close to being fully recovered," a Shanghai official told China Daily yesterday.

The sacking of Chen from his post "hasn't had any impact on the daily work of the government", and "would be positive for the economic development of Shanghai," the municipal government official, who asked not to be identified, said.
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