Zhou exerted 'baneful' influence in Sichuan

Sichuan's provincial anti-graft agency expressed its determination to carry on the fight against corruption while cleaning up the negative influence of China's ex-security chief Zhou Yongkang on the province's political circle.

Zhou's crimes and disciplinary violations have had a negative effect on the leadership and cadre in Sichuan, leading some officials to break laws and violate Party discipline, according to a statement issued at the fourth full session of the commission for discipline inspection of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China on Friday.

"The Party committee recognizes that Zhou's direct involvement in the political affairs in Sichuan had a baneful influence. The breeding of money worship and extravagant lifestyles, as well as the increase of corruption, should not be underestimated," Wang Dongming, Party chief of Sichuan, said at the session.