China launches anti-graft site for citizens to report corruption

China's anti-graft watchdog has launched an official Web site for citizens to send information they have regarding corrupt officials.

Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday the Web site www.ccdi.gov.cn, operated by both the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the Ministry of Supervision, enables the public to report their suspicions on government officials. 

The Web site consists of 10 sections, including an online forum where the public can leave their opinions and proposals as well as ask questions about anti-corruption. Citizens can also send tip-offs on corruption cases, and will publish latest information from important meetings, campaigns and graft investigations.

Tips on local-level officials will then be directed to disciplinary commissions in the areas where they work, while reports about central government officials will be handled directly by the CCDI. Informants can also monitor the results of their tip-offs online, a separate report on South China Morning post (SCMP) noted.

According to SCMP, the public is increasingly turning to social media such as Weibo accounts, to level charges against officials, and have brought down high-profile figures such as Liu Tienan, former director of the National Energy Bureau and deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

The Chinese government has been taking steps to tackle corruption among officials. Last year, officials marked for promotion in the country's Zhejiang province had to declare their income and personal assets on a government Web site, making the information available for public viewing, as a precaution against corruption.