The supervision departments of China punished 3,798 civil servants and other staff members for poor performance in the fight against SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003.

The disciplinary measures were part of a campaign against poor performance and illegal activities. The campaign uncovered irregularities involving 8.8 billion yuan (US$1.06 billion), according to figures provided by the Ministry of Supervision.

A total economic loss of 5.25 billion yuan has been retrieved, said the ministry.

In 2003, the Ministry of Supervision participated in a crackdown on illegal activities in the real estate market, oil and natural gas production, the auto market, construction material market, environmental protection and farm material production, while its local branches supervised use of state-owned property, social security fund and disaster-relief fund as well as construction project bids.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2004)