Other highlights of anti-corruption news conference

The fight against formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance intensified in 2015. Discipline authorities dealt with 37,000 cases of violations of the "eight-point regulations" aimed at practicing austerity among Party members and bringing the Party closer to the people. The cases involved 49,000 officials, of whom, 34,000 received disciplinary punishment. Officials who use public funds to eat, drink, give gifts and travel will become the key target in 2016, as well as those who visit private clubs and play golf at public expense.

A total of 336,000 officials were punished last year for violating the Party's code of conduct or other regulations, the highest number since the reform and opening-up drive began. But the CCDI stressed that the wayward officials account only for a very small percentage of the 87 million Party members. Also, 2,479 discipline officials were punished for violations last year as inspection agencies are improving self-supervision.

CCDI officials said the crackdown on corruption has eliminated market operation obstacles and ensured the decisive role of the market, both of which are conducive to a sustainable and sound economy. They also said the fight against corruption has never, and will not, influence the ruling foundation, but will consolidate the CPC's governance and help secure public trust in the Party. In a National Bureau of Statistics public opinion poll last year, 91.5 percent of respondents were satisfied with the anti-graft drive, and more than 90 percent had confidence in the campaign.