Reuters:
I have three questions. First, does China plan to establish an independent anti-corruption system that doesn't report to the CPC? Second, is China going to sign an extradition treaty with the U.S？Do you have a timetable for that? Third, why hasn't China formulated an anti-corruption law? Thank you.
Liu Jianchao:
In retrospect to our law-enforcement cooperation with foreign countries in the past few years, extradition treaties are a very important instrument in fighting corruption, especially in fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, which can be highlighted in the following two aspects. First, it provides legal basis for suspect pursual and handover. Second, it will deter the corrupt officials who attempt to evade legal punishment by fleeing to other countries. Therefore, the cooperation of law enforcement will be more effective with the signing of extradition treaties. So far, China has signed extradition treaties with 48 countries, including France, Spain and Italy, among others. As for the U.S. and other countries, China is willing to discuss such a treaty with them on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and shared benefit and mutual accommodation of each other's major concerns. In this way, China can better join hands with foreign countries to combat various cross-border crimes including corruption and make sure that not a single country will be used as a "safe haven" by corrupt elements or other criminals.
Wu Yuliang:
Leadership by the CPC is the essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as its greatest strength. It's the consensus of the 1.3 billion Chinese people that the successful handling of China's affairs lies in the Party. It's also a consensus among the whole Party. Both supervision within the Party and on the government are carried out under the unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. The 10th article in the newly released "Regulation on Supervision Within the Communist Party of China" stipulates that "the supervision within the Party is totally under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau." The aim of deepening reform of the national supervisory system is to strengthen the Party's leadership in combating corruption. Just now, Mr. Xiao has already answered the question regarding whether or not we are going to establish a centralized, unified, authoritative and efficient national supervisory system that will cover all the government employees who exercise public power. So, there will be no so-called independent supervisory organs beyond the Party's leadership.
I think your question about the independent supervisory organ stems from the thinking of separation and balance of powers. The Chinese people have confidence in our culture. Chinese culture enables us to have confidence in our chosen path, guiding theories and political system. It is the DNA and lies in the blood of the Chinese nation. Our culture is different from yours.
Establishing an independent supervisory organ (in China) is like cutting one's toes just to fit his shoes. Here I want to cite an ancient Chinese story. The tasty orange, grown in southern China, would turn sour once it is grown in the north. The leaves may look the same, but the fruits taste quite different, because the north is a different location with a different climate. Such similar questions (about Chinese systems and policies) have been raised from time to time. The reason is due to differences in the way of thinking. I don't think those who raise such questions have an understanding of traditional Chinese culture, nor the Chinese path, theories and system. I suggest them to read books about Chinese culture and stories.
Wu Yuliang:
As for your third question about the anti-corruption law, we have attached great importance to improving institutions and tried to learn from other countries. Like the vast ocean admitting all rivers that run into it, we have absorbed foreign experiences in spite of different national conditions. However, legislation takes time. It requires summarization and abstraction of practical experiences. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Central Committee has been unswervingly fighting corruption and attained noticeable effects while laying a foundation for legislation of the anti-corruption law. Now, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, we are pushing forward the reform of the supervisory system and carrying out pilot programs in the city of Beijing and provinces of Shanxi and Zhejiang. The national supervisory commission is the national level anti-corruption institution. The essence of formulating a law on national supervision is to promote legislation on national anti-corruption. In the future, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will conduct two reviews of the draft supervisory law before the law is finally published. Thank you.