NEWS came [recently] that an official of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, Wei Jian, was under investigation for disciplinary violations. … The case best answers the question who should supervise the disciplinary supervisors, says China Youth Daily. Compared with the “tigers”, those corrupt officials at the provincial or ministerial level, Wei is only a “fry” and his illegal activities, if they are confirmed, couldn’t possibly be among the most serious. …

His being investigated sends a clear signal that no one owns privilege in the ongoing anti-corruption drive [and] that any official who violates Party discipline or the nation’s laws will be subject to punishment. Further, Wei’s case offers the answer to the question: who will supervise the supervisors? … There is no need to establish another body to supervise the disciplinary commission … because … the disciplinary bodies are being supervised by the disciplinary bodies and the public too. So the question should actually be: is this supervision truly effective? … — (May 13)

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2014