Joint anti-graft push needed, US delegates told

China and the United States should seek consensus and deepen anti-graft cooperation, top Party disciplinary chief Wang Qishan told a US bipartisan delegation on Thursday in Beijing.

The call comes as China cracks down on corruption and improves its anti-graft cooperation with the US, the top destination for Chinese officials accused of corruption.

Wang, head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, highlighted the core role of the Party in China's development, and said that without discipline it is impossible for the Party to realize the goal of leading people to build a moderately prosperous society.

From Fox Hunt to Sky Net, China's campaigns to track down and extradite corrupt officials have seen encouraging progress.

However, the absence of extradition treaties between China and the US has hampered Beijing's efforts to bring more fugitives to justice.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Washington "does not seem ready" to sign such a treaty with China as differences in social and legal systems mean that some foreign judges have prejudices or an insufficient understanding of the Chinese legal system.

Hong Kong-based media have reported that Wang may visit the US later this year, and probably talk with his hosts about strengthening cooperation to track down fugitives.

Former US trade representative Ron Kirk and former US secretary of veterans affairs R. James Nicholson, who both led the delegation, called for greater party-to-party communication and Sino-US cooperation.

The delegation was in China for the 8th China-US High-Level Political Party Leaders Dialogue, which involved Democrats and Republicans discussing various issues with the CPC.

For the first time, the dialogue included a China-US Entrepreneurs Roundtable.

Despite an end to China's decades of double-digit growth, those attending the roundtable on Wednesday expressed optimism concerning growth and greater Sino-US cooperation.

Bob Holden, chairman of the Midwest US-China Association and former governor of Missouri, said the "new normal" is realistic.

"I think it's important for all of us outside of China to also work with China's leadership to make sure that growth continues," he said.

The economy's new normal refers to the push for growth driven by domestic consumption rather than exports and infrastructure.

Fan Bi, a senior official from the State Council Research Office, said China, with a higher-quality economy, well-educated labor force and a sound industrial system, remains an ideal destination for investment from developed countries.

zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn