The expulsion of Ling Jihua from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and his removal from public office show that no exception should be allowed in the country's crackdown on corruption, a state-run daily said Tuesday.
The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee took the action against Ling, a former vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, on Monday.
The meeting also decided to transfer the suspected criminal case against Ling to judicial organs for handling in accordance with the law, Xinhua reported.
"Running the party with strict discipline are not empty words, and no exception should be allowed in graft crackdown," a commentary published in the CPC's flagship newspaper said on Tuesday.
The decision fully showcases the CPC Central Committee's clear attitude towards and strong determination in upholding Party disciplines and unswervingly punishing corruption, the article said.
Investigations revealed Ling took advantage of his posts to seek profit for others and accepted huge bribes personally and through his family. He is also suspected of obtaining a great deal of the Party and state's core secrets in violation of the laws and discipline as well as committing adultery with a number of women, said the daily.
Thoroughly investigating Ling's case and eradicating its negative impacts have "a significant meaning on eliminating hidden problems inside the Party, maintaining strict Party discipline and purifying Party organizations", according to the article.
"Party rules and discipline are not only the firewall in anti-corruption campaign, but also the Party's lifeline," it said.
Ling's case serves as a warning for all Party members that one should put rules and discipline in the very front to guard against corruption.
"The weakening and downgrade of faith and ideal of the Party are the most dangerous. All Party members, especially leaders at different levels, should never relax efforts of self-discipline or be indulged in individualism and selfishness, nor should they be two-faced," the article said.
Party members should always strengthen their faith and ideals, enhance the merit of being loyal to the Party, and keep the integrity of being a communist, it says.
All Party members should unify their thoughts and actions with the CPC Central Committee, draw a lesson from Ling's case, and follow the Party's discipline and rules more closely, the daily said.
