People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC), carried a commentator's article on Wednesday calling for firm support for the correct decision of the CPC Central Committee. Excerpts below:

On April 10, the CPC Central Committee decided to investigate comrade Bo Xilai's serious violations of discipline, and the police announced reinvestigation results of the death of Neil Heywood and transferred suspects to judicial authorities.

This fully displays the respect for fact and the rule of law, and is entirely consistent with the Party's basic requirement of strict discipline on its members and the Party's governing philosophy of running state affairs according to law.

This also showcases the Party's determination to keep its purity, and the clear stand of the Party and government to safeguard Party discipline and the laws of the state. This will gain support from all members of the Party and the public.

Based on the facts made public so far, the Wang Lijun incident is a serious political event leaving very negative impacts at home and abroad, and the death of Neil Heywood is a serious criminal case involving the family and close staff of a Party and state leader.

Bo has seriously violated the Party discipline, causing damage to the cause and the image of the Party and state.

The CPC Central Committee, with Hu Jintao as the general secretary, has resolutedly moved to investigate the related events, seriously handle the situation and inform the public promptly, displaying the strong sense of responsibility to the cause of the Party and people as well as firm commitment to the socialist rule of law.

The facts have proven that the CPC stands for the people, accepts their supervision, never compromises on corruption and will probe and punish any violations of law and discipline.

China is a socialist country ruled by law, and the sanctity and authority of law shall not be trampled on. Whoever has broken the law will be handled in accordance with law and will not be tolerated, no matter who is involved and no matter what position he is in.

There is no privileged citizen before the law. The Party does not tolerate any special member who is above the law. No one can interfere with law enforcement and anyone who violates the law could not be at large.

The principle of handling cases based on facts and according to laws will be followed. From making thorough investigation of the Wang Lijun incident, the case involved the death of Neil Heywood and Bo Xilai's serious discipline violations in line with law and discipline, people will see CPC's solid resolution of safeguarding the Party's discipline and the rule of law.

People should maintain a high level of ideological unity with the CPC Central Committee with Hu as the general secretary, and hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

We should take the Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of the Three Represents as the guide, and thoroughly apply the Scientific Outlook on Development.

People should stick to the overall work principle of "seeking progress while maintaining stability." People should focus their attention on economic and social development, and work together to overcome difficulties.

We should strive to safeguard the favorable situation concerning China's reform, development and stability, make new achievements in building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, and speed up the socialist modernization drive, thus to welcome the 18th CPC national congress.

(China Daily 04/12/2012 page9)