Xi's anti-corruption resolution arouses public expectations

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping's latest resolution on fighting corruption has triggered heated discussion among experts and the public.

Xi, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Tuesday told members of the CPC's disciplinary arm that the CPC will unswervingly fight corruption and work to restrain official power.

CAGE OF REGULATIONS

The most quoted phrase from Xi's speech was "Power should be restricted by a cage of regulations," which some believe connects with the theories of classic Western political philosophers.

Xi explained that such a cage refers to sound disciplinary, prevention and guarantee mechanisms to ensure that people do not dare to, are not able to and cannot easily commit corruption.

The speech has received a warm welcome, as well as comments indicating increased expectations, from public intellectuals and netizens.

Incorporating the "cage" concept into the CPC's ruling guidelines marks historical progress and deserves public support, said a microblog entry posted by "nanduo" on Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.

Real estate tycoon Ren Zhiqiang wrote on Sina Weibo that identifying weaknesses in the current system will help direct future reforms.

Restricting power should be implemented by limiting the government's interference in the market, the enforcement of law, the distribution of resources and the freedom of speech, Ren wrote.

Xi also reminded officials in his speech that no one can enjoy absolute power outside of the law and that anyone who exercises power must "consciously accept supervision by the people."

The key to a workable mechanism is transparency in the government's operation, said a report on news portal yicai.com that cited legal expert Li Shaozhang from the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.

Transparency should be boosted regarding the disclosure of officials' and their relatives' assets, as well as public finance and personnel management, Li said, adding that concrete measures and action in these fields are necessary.