CPC official stresses supervision of China's stimulus spending plans

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Chinese media) -- The Communist Party of

China's (CPC) top anti-corruption official on Wednesday urged tighter

supervision and inspection to avoid corruption and ensure project quality in the

100 billion yuan (14.7 billion U.S. dollars) stimulus package for 2008.

He Guoqiang, secretary of the CPC Central Commission

for Discipline Inspection, made the remarks at a conference held after 24

inspection groups toured 31 provincial-level areas.

He said the major task at present was to impose

closer scrutiny on the use of funds involved in the stimulus package.

He asked inspectors to examine project plans, as well

as approval and construction procedures, to ensure transparency in fund use and

to ensure they were in compliance with laws and regulations.

Supervision over the management and use of money, as

well as project quality, should be tightened, he said.

He, also a member of the Standing Committee of the

CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, added that officials found taking bribes

or embezzling funds should be severely punished.

The central government has announced steps to spur

domestic demand and boost economic development in the face of the global

economic slowdown.

Announced by the State Council (cabinet) on Nov. 9 as

an additional central government investment this year, the 100 billion yuan

package will be used for social welfare projects, infrastructure construction,

environmental protection and industrial restructuring.