General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC in Beijing, Jan 13, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

He covers a range of issues at annual CCDI plenary session, emphasizing Party mission

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, ordered officials on Monday to make consistent efforts against graft to secure victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fighting poverty.

Xi, China's president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, spoke at the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC.

The annual session of the top anti-corruption agency was attended by all seven members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi stressed upholding and improving the Party and State supervisory systems, saying that the efforts would ensure that the Party's policies are faithfully implemented.

Since the Party's 18th National Congress, which was held in late 2012, the CPC has strengthened its supervision over the exercise of power and made historic achievements, Xi said.

Guided by scientific theories, the CPC has set up systems to remain true to its original aspiration and keep its mission firmly in mind, Xi said, adding that the whole Party's belief in fulfilling the Chinese dream has been strengthened.

Party unity has been strengthened and the CPC has punished corruption with an iron fist in recent years, Xi said.

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which concluded in late October, made strategic plans to promote the modernization of the country's governance system and governance capability, Xi said, adding that anti-graft authorities should implement the requirements of that session.

He attached great importance to the supervision of poverty reduction tasks, saying problems that harm the people's interests in poverty-stricken areas must be addressed.

Xi called for tough measures against officials who undermine the law by providing protective umbrellas to mafia-style gangsters, and he told anti-graft authorities to continue to fight both tigers and flies — meaning both senior officials and those at lower-levels. Those who did not cease their misbehavior after the Party's 18th National Congress must be punished severely, Xi said.

Anti-corruption agencies should also keep an eye on State-owned enterprises, corrupt activities hidden in local government debt, cheating in the healthcare system and State-owned assets overseas.

The CPC Central Committee's eight-point rules on frugality should be further enforced and supervision of the chief officials of Party organizations at all levels must be enhanced, Xi said.

The disciplinary and supervisory authorities should take the lead in enhancing Party building, he said, adding that they should be loyal to the Party and be brave about fighting corruption.