China goes after 'small coffer' corruption

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The Chinese Communist Party says it will step up its anti-corruption crackdown to check what is described as "small coffer" corruption among officials.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the party's discipline watchdog, has spelled out the penalties for those caught holding such coffers, in which funds, securities and assets belonging to the party or the government do not get listed in official account books, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The practice is described as "cancer" by the party.

The report said the party previously did not give a formal definition of "small coffer." But the discipline agency says officials who illegally use small coffer money to build or renovate office buildings, raise subsidy standard or provide excessive bonuses to staff will face punishment ranging from inner-party warnings to losing party membership and even dismissal from posts.

Small coffers also are used by officials for traveling, gala dinners and other recreational activities, the report said.

"Specifying punishment will help intensify the crackdown and make it more maneuverable," the discipline agency said.