Technology used to combat graft

China has improved the way it deals with corruption and is increasingly using technology to combat graft, but experts say preventing the technology from being abused must also be taken into consideration.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences published a report on China's rule of law on Monday, which stated that the country's disciplinary authorities at every level have developed and applied technology to their anti-corruption work, such as online approval platforms and bribery record systems.

The report is published in the Blue Book on the Rule of Law, also produced by the academy.

In 2012, a system tracking companies and people who pay bribes was put into effect, which means prosecutors can check nationwide bribery information online, according to the report, adding that the country has made great progress on bribery prevention in this way.

The government in Hainan province developed an online system to prevent officials from intervening in administrative examination and approval, while Ningbo city's government, in Zhejiang province, also carried out electronic monitoring of administrations, the report said.

On Saturday, Party chief Xi Jinping stressed the promotion of the rule of law in an all-round manner, calling for scientific legislation, strict law enforcement, judicial justice and for every citizen to be beholden to the law.

Lu Yanbin, director of the academy's editorial office, said using technology to fight corruption has become increasingly effective and will continue to be explored this year.

Guangzhou, Guangdong province, is building a database that can integrate information from the city's authorities, such as the public security bureau, and tax and housing departments. The database will reveal any anomalies and help prevent corruption, the report said.