Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

Good morning. Let me first congratulate the winners of the competition. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the Anti-Corruption Commission for what you have done since being put into operation, particularly on anti-corruption. On October 31, 2003, the 58th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption and decided to designate December 9th of each year as International Anti-Corruption Day to raise public awareness of anti-corruption. Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. Corruption undermines democratic systems, slows down economic development, and inflicts government instability. Our world is faced with countless challenges, inequalities and injustices, most of which are closely linked to corruption. Only by removing the obstacles of corruption can we build a just world and a sustainable society. It is important that we share our experiences and lessons; that is why I am very glad to share China's anti-corruption practices with friends from the Tonga Anti-Corruption Commission and the younger generations of Tonga.

The ruling Communist Party of China has a long history of more than 100 years, a large-scale organization with nearly 100 million members and long-term governance that comes across challenges time and again. How can it escape the historical cycle of rise and fall? Chairman Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China, gave the first answer in the cave dwelling in Yan'an, which had been the Communist headquarters before the PRC was founded in 1949, that is, "only by letting the people supervise the government can the government not slack off". After a century of endeavor, especially the new practices since the 18th National Congress, or 2012, the Communist Party of China has given the second answer, which is the Party's Self-Reform. And anti-corruption is the critical part of self-reform.

Since 2012, China has carried out an unprecedented anti-corruption campaign. We launched a sweeping, zero-tolerance campaign against corruption, promoting the "three non-corruptions" as a whole - "no audacity" out of awe, "no opportunity" through institutions, and "no desire" with consciousness. Through unremitting and strong efforts, the anti-corruption campaign has achieved a sweeping victory, been comprehensively consolidated, and successfully blazed a path of anti-corruption with Chinese characteristics.

I. "No audacity" out of Awe - Maintaining a tough stance against Corruption

We believe that in the fight against corruption, we can not afford to retreat, relax, or show tolerance; rather, we must continue the charge. We take the severe punishment of corruption involving the collusion between government and business as the top priority of the tough-battle. We strike hard against capital's exploitation of power for profit, and take firm measures to prevent interest groups and influential organizations from infiltrating the political sphere. In particular, we focus our efforts on sectors with a high concentration of power, funds and resources. Potential corruption risks must be preempted. We always take a multi-pronged approach to "take out tigers" (corrupt senior officials), "swat flies" (corrupt low-ranking bureaucrats) and "hunt down foxes" (fugitives abroad suspected of major economic crimes). We extend the anti-corruption campaign to the grassroots level and around the people, punish the "petty corruptions", and enhance the people's sense of gain.

II. "No opportunity" through institutions - Confining the Exercise of Power Within an Institutional Cage

We continuously promote the national legislation on anti-corruption. A legal net for punishing corruption has been tightly woven through laws such as the Criminal Law, the Criminal Procedure Law, the Supervision Law, the Anti-Money Laundering Law, the International Criminal Judicial Assistance Law, and the Law on Governmental Sanctions for Public Employees, as well as the relevant judicial interpretations, implementation regulations, rules and other regulatory documents supporting these laws. The rule of law brings the division and exercise of power into the track of law, ensures the consistency of power and responsibility, and realizes the full-coverage supervision of all personnel exercising public power, effectively preventing the alienation of power. The governance of the Party according to regulations constructs a self-supervision mechanism through inner-Party regulations, realizes the standardized operation of inner-Party power, especially controls the "key few" of leading officials, makes them set an example in abiding by laws and disciplines, and ensures that the Party's decisions always reflect the will of the people and respond to the needs of the people. We continue to give play to the key role of the Party's discipline inspection institutions, and at the same time, establish a supervision commission to supervise all civil servants.

(i) The Evolution of Legislative Concepts from Focusing on Punishment to Addressing Both the Symptoms and Root Causes

For a long time, China's anti-corruption legislation has been basically focused on punishment, mainly relying on laws such as the Criminal Law and the Criminal Procedure Law to deal with corruption problems, and only "passively defending" when corruption acts cause serious harm. Nowadays, the concept of addressing both the symptoms and root causes has become more and more prominent in the anti-corruption legal system. The Asset Declaration System for Public Officials has been established, requiring officials within a specific scope to report personal property matters, including income, stocks, funds, real estate, and other assets held by themselves, their spouses and children living with them. For the act of concealing the report, disciplinary responsibility will be investigated according to the seriousness of the circumstances. Through the mandatory implementation of the personal property reporting system for officials, the self-restraint of officials has been strengthened, reflecting the concept and requirements of preventing corruption at its source.

(ii) Combating Work Style Issues and Corruption Simultaneously

The "Four Malfeasances", which refers to favoring form over substance, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance, has different manifestations from corruption. But in fact, they are two sides of the same coin and share the same root. Many great mistakes of corruption and degradation start from the loss of principles in minor issues. The "Four Malfeasances" hidden in a pack of cigarettes, a bottle of wine, a gift card, a meal or a set of false data, which seem to be small matters, have become the starting point for some people to lose their principles and violate discipline and law. The Communist Party of China has formulated the eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct to improve governance efficiency. It requires members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee to improve field study, reduce meetings and celebratory events, reduce issuance of documents and briefings, reasonably arrange outbound visits, streamline security arrangements, reduce media coverage of senior officials, regulate publications under an individual's name, and practice frugality.

Central government departments and all regions across the country have formulated a series of more specific policy regulations for officials at all levels to improve their work style based on their actual situations, embodying the spirit of the eight-point decision. The spirit of the eight-point decision is a common requirement for 100 million Party members, and every Party member should abide by it. The core of the spirit of the eight-point decision is to oppose "Four Malfeasances", advocate for clean government, uphold a practical work style, and practice strict economy. Here, I would like to focus on combating "corruption on the tongue" and "corruption on wheels".

"Corruption on the tongue" includes accepting or providing banquets that may affect the fair performance of official duties, and entering private clubs for dining and drinking. On the surface, improper dining and drinking may seem like just a meal or a drink. But in essence, they are the fuse of corruption, which may become a hotbed for power-for-gain and interest-transfer. In the long run, they will damage the normal business environment, and ultimately lead to the misallocation of resources and reduce the quality and efficiency of economic development.

"Corruption on wheels". In 2013, China canceled most official vehicles and promoted socialized and market-oriented reforms. However, some officials are reluctant to give up the privilege, and instead borrow vehicles from enterprises and other service objects. On the surface, it may seem like a loan, but in reality, it is a form of power-for-gain. Behind the act of borrowing vehicles often lies an exchange of interests. Enterprises, intimidated by the power of officials, feel compelled to cooperate, and officials may reciprocate in other ways, creating a collusive chain of interests between government and business.

These behaviors may not yet violate the law, but they are the fuse of most illegal acts and the catalyst of corruption problems. By curbing these unhealthy tendencies, the soil and conditions for the breeding of corruption can be removed.

(iii) International Judicial and Law-Enforcement Cooperation as an Important Part of Combating Corruption

China adheres to the United Nations mechanisms and multilateral frameworks, such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and actively builds an international cooperation platform for the pursuit of fugitives and recovery of stolen assets, strengthening international judicial and law-enforcement cooperation. In 2014, a coordination mechanism for the pursuit of fugitives and recovery of stolen assets was established, and an international office was set up. The "Sky Net" and "Fox Hunt" operations for the international pursuit of fugitives and recovery of stolen assets have become an extension of the domestic "tiger-taking out" and "fly-swatting", linking internal and external efforts to block the loopholes for fleeing abroad. In recent years, China has repatriated thousands of fugitives from more than 90 countries and regions and recovered tens of billions of yuan in stolen assets.

III. "No desire" with Consciousness-Strengthening the Construction of Clean-government Culture in the New Era

The clean-government culture in the new era is one that honors integrity and regards corruption as a shame. To ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to engage in corruption, "no desire" is the fundamental principle. It depends on strengthening the education of ideals and beliefs, cultivating a clean-government culture, and consolidating the ideological foundation of remaining true to the original aspiration and keeping the mission firmly in mind.

(i) Drawing Strength from Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture

Since ancient times, Chinese culture has advocated a clean government, self-cultivation, and moral integrity. Advocating integrity and frugality, and refraining from corruption, are the most basic moral requirements for those in power.

Xiezhi, a "legal beast" in ancient Chinese mythology, is regarded as a symbol of integrity, justice and impartial law enforcement. During the Spring and Autumn Period of China (770-476 BC) in the state of Lu, the Prime Minister of Lu, who had a fondness for fish, was often offered fish by the people. However, he consistently refused. He explained that if he accepted other people's fish, he would have to do things according to their wishes, and it was inevitable to bend the law. If he were removed from office, could he still eat fish? If he did not accept other people's fish, he would not be removed from office, and thus he could "always provide himself with fish". This record shows that as early as the Spring and Autumn Period, there were already clean-government systems in place to regulate the behavior of officials.

(ii) Promoting the Whole Society to Pay Attention to Family Education and Family Values Building

The family is the cell of society and the first school of life. In the traditional Chinese culture, the family has a unique position. The so-called "cultivate one's morality, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world" shows that from the individual to the country, the family is the most important spiritual bond. "Those who want to govern their country must first regulate their family". What kind of family values there are, there will be the same kind of spiritual state and value pursuit.

For public officials, proper family values lead to pure work style, which can provide spiritual support for clean and honest public service. On the contrary, improper family values and lax family education can result in the mutual influences among family members, a vicious circle, and ultimately break through the bottom line of the rule of law and lead to the abyss of corruption. We should pay attention to family education and family values, urge officials to strictly manage their relatives and children, actively publicize the concept of integrity and typical integrity cases, and create a good fashion of advocating integrity and combating corruption.

During the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, the family of Zhang Ying, the Minister of Rites from Anhui, had a dispute with their neighbor, the Wu family, over the homestead. The Zhang family sent a letter to Beijing asking Zhang Ying for help, hoping that he would use his influence. In response, Zhang Ying wrote a poem in the letter, "A letter comes just for the wall. Why not give way three feet?" After receiving the letter, the Zhang family took the initiative to give way three feet. Moved by this gesture, the Wu family also gave way three feet. Thus, the story of the Liuchi (Six-foot) Alley was created.

(iii) Continuously Strengthening Learning and Education

The Communist Party of China carries out anti-corruption learning and education every year. All Party members study the theory of the Party's self-reform and review regulations on disciplinary sanctions, so as to strengthen the anti-corruption awareness, build a solid ideological and moral defense line against corruption, and strive to promote the formation of a good atmosphere of abiding by regulations and disciplines and working hard. We adhere to the combination of positive guidance and negative warning, select and establish examples of diligence and integrity, strengthen the demonstration effect, and use the cases around to explain discipline and law, so that officials can have examples to learn from and warnings to follow. Special emphasis is placed on educating young officials, fastening the first button of their public service.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends, corruption is a global political malady. Anti-corruption is not only a historical issue and a global problem, but also an important area of global governance and a topic of widespread concern in the international community. Every country has established a corresponding anti-corruption model according to its own political system, cultural traditions and legal system. Both China and Tonga have a long-standing history and culture, and both have the determination to combat corruption and improve social governance efficiency. Only by working together can we overcome corruption. His Majesty just concluded his successful state visit to China, opening up the great potential for our two countries' partnership. I'm sure anti-corruption could be among the collaborations. There are 1.8 billion young people in the world, accounting for nearly a quarter of the global population. Combating corruption is of great significance to their future. Today, I am very glad to see the young people of Tonga actively participating in the discussions, sharing their experiences, and offering innovative solutions to combat corruption. I hope their voices will be heard and translated into action. I also hope that the young people of our two countries will carry out more exchanges, share wisdom, and jointly build a more just and beautiful world.

Thank you.

Mālō ‘aupito.