Naming and shaming acts as deterrent

In a report released by China's National Audit Office on Sunday, five corrupt officials were picked out by name for violating the law and Party discipline. This is the first time specific names have been given. The five individuals named include Wang Tianchao, the former president of the No 1 People's Hospital in Southwest China's Yunnan province, who is suspected of accepting huge "gifts", including 100 houses and 35 million yuan ($5.6 million) in cash. Comments:

It is foreseeable that the National Audit Office will play a bigger role in the future anti-graft efforts, which means professional audits will be a necessary supplement to the anti-corruption campaign. The office's naming of individuals also signals that China's anti-corruption watchdogs will be more rigorous in digging out misbehaving officials.

Xin'an Evening News, July 1

Although the names of only five corrupt officials were announced, this year's audit report may indicate that more names will be listed in subsequent reports, in a bid to send a warning to those who consider crossing the line. Identifying the rule-breakers should be adopted as a routine practice.

Beijing Morning Post, June 30

Listing the misconduct of officials as well as their names in the annual audit report may not be a breakthrough, but it means that the national audit has become an indispensable part of institutional supervision, which is becoming stricter. Albeit primarily designed to discover misdeeds, a national audit report can also remind officials to remain within the law by naming some lawbreaking individuals.

Yanzhao Metropolis Daily, June 30