Li vows zero toleration for corruption

Premier Li Keqiang vowed on Thursday the government would show zero tolerance for corrupt officials, no matter how senior their positions are.

"No matter who an official is and how senior his or her position is, if they violate Party discipline and the law, they will be seriously dealt with and punished in line with the law, because everybody is equal before the law," Li said.

The government will continue to fight graft with firm determination, Li added. "Visible progress has been made in this regard and we will carry forward this campaign with perseverance."

The government will release a list of activities that require government approval as soon as possible to set clear boundaries and ensure that power will not be abused, Li said.

This year, the government will continue to streamline administration and delegate public power, and will carry out comprehensive audits in areas that people are highly concerned about, including revenues on the transfer of land usage, Li said.

Li made the remarks while answering a question from People's Daily at a news conference on Thursday morning after the closure of the annual session of the National People's Congress.

"Corruption is the natural enemy of a people's government," he said.