43 Chinese lawmakers resigned, 27 dismissed for graft: Official

BEIJING: Forty-three Chinese lawmakers had resigned and 27 others dismissed in the last three years for graft charges under President Xi Jinping's campaign against corruption in the Communist nation, a senior official said today.

Some of the lawmakers were dismissed because of violating codes of conduct and laws, while some others resigned for their involvement or suspected involvement in graft, said Fu Ying spokesperson of the China's legislature the National People's Congress (NPC) which will begin its annual session tomorrow.

Earlier on Friday, the Communist Party of China ( CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced an investigation in Wang Min, vice chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of the NPC, for suspected violation of Party codes of conduct.

"These cases show that anti-corruption campaign leaves no blind spot. Any NPC deputy who violates Party codes of conduct or laws will face punishment from the Party or stand trial in line with law," Fu said.

The national legislature will step up efforts in legislation related to anti-corruption, in a bid to root up the source of corruption, she added.

Besides large number of officials, a number of high level leaders including the former national security chief, Zhou Yongkang and high level military officials were prosecuted and jailed in the anti-graft drive launched by Xi.

Since Xi took over as president and Party chief in 2013, thousands of officials have been punished in massive anti-corruption campaign.

The campaign also attracted criticism that Xi made use of the campaign to consolidate his power base in the CPC.