Officials confess "wrongdoings"

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced yesterday that nearly 2,000 officials confessed to misconduct after regulations aimed at uncovering official corruption took effect on May 30, state media reported. Under the rules, officials in high positions who confess to crimes such as taking bribes before the end of June would receive leniency. During the one-month period, 1,790 cases of official corruption were voluntarily reported, totaling US$10.2 million. Details were not disclosed about the penalties, though officials who chose not to come forward will be severely punished, said CCDI spokesman Gan Yisheng.