China girds up to fight corruption in festival

BEIJING - China's disciplinary authority has set up an online platform to receive reports of corruption from the public during Duanwu, this weekend's Dragon Boat Festival.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Thursday added a "Clean Duanwu Holiday" section to its website. There are already bans in place on using public funds to buy holiday presents such as zongzi, the traditional rice dumpling served during Duanwu Festival.

Disciplinary and supervisory agencies have been urged to persistently enforce the CPC frugality code and prevent any resurgence of extravagance, according to a statement posted on the CCDI website.

"The frugality campaign will be renewed each year, at every important point," the statement said, pledging to publicize serious violation cases after investigation.

Local disciplinary authorities have made special efforts to curb banquets, travel, presents and use of government vehicles for private purposes during the holiday period.

"I am not expecting any gifts this festival, and I am trying to get used of this situation," an official in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality told Xinhua. In Chongqing, authorities have vowed to crack down on covert forms of bribery.

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar; June 2 this year. The festival commemorates the patriotic poet Qu Yuan born in fourth century BC. Chinese people prepare and eat zongzi, a glutinous rice dumpling steamed in a leaf, drink wine and race dragon boats on the day.