China's graft-buster exposes decadent officials

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

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) released the names of over 10 officials involved in misuse of public funds for banquets and tours, and bribe-taking, among other violations.

Punishment for those on the list includes warnings and removal from office.

In one case, Liu Jun, deputy director of the State Post Bureau, was given a disciplinary warning for attending a banquet given by a domestic express delivery firm and accepting a sports watch worth 1,057 yuan ($168.3) from another domestic transport company when Liu was on a business trip to the United States and Canada in 2016.

The CPC released its eight-point rules on austerity in late 2012 to reduce undesirable work practices.

The disciplinary watchdog warned officials against untoward behavior during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday.

Holidays usually see a rise in gift-giving, banquets, ceremonies and other such activities in China. Spring Festival falls on Feb 16 this year.