Beijing targets rumours, religion in new govt rulings

BeIJINg: China’s ruling Communist Party issued a revised set of regulations governing members’ behaviour, threatening punishment for spreading political rumours and recommending those who cling to religious beliefs be asked to leave the party.

President Xi Jinping’s on-going crackdown against graft, which began six years ago when he took office, has shaken up the party.

Xi warns, like other leaders before him, that the party’s survival is at stake.

He has accrued more power than any of his immediate predecessors and has intensified efforts to ensure cadres are loyal, disciplined, upright and honest.

The updated discipline rules were released late Sunday by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection graft watchdog but in effect from Aug 18, many orders in writing were already in practice.

In the most serious cases, party members can be prosecuted, but in many cases the most severe punishment that can be meted out is expulsion from the party.

Xi’s name has also been written into the revised rules, as it is already in the party and country’s constitution, putting him at the very centre of party life.

Party members are not allowed to speak out against central party policies or decisions, and nor can they spread “political rumours or damage the party’s unity”, the new rules say.

Another new clause takes aim at party members who are also religious.

While the country’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion the party is officially atheist and party members are supposed to be too.

“Party members who have religious belief should have strengthened thought education.

“If they still don’t change after help and education from the party organisation, they should be encouraged to leave the party,” the new rules say. — Reuters