A high-level government official has been stripped of his post for allegedly offering bribes during a leadership reshuffle in China's northern Hebei Province.

A statement from the Chinese Communist Party's Organization Department said yesterday the official used various ways to win himself support, including making phone calls, visits, holding banquets and giving presents.

The official was dismissed from his post on Friday by the CPC Committee in Hebei Province for "violating the rules of leadership reshuffles," and further punishment is pending.

According to a report carried in yesterday's Beijing News, the dismissed official is Li Junqu, the assistant to Hebei's governor.

Li was a prefecture-level official, the equivalent of a city mayor. The next level up is a provincial or ministerial post.

Further punishment for Li could include dismissal from the Party or prosecution through the courts.

China will go through nationwide leadership elections and reshuffles of legislatures, governments and political advisory bodies at the provincial level in the first half of next year.

And the work is already underway at city, county and township levels in some provinces, regions and municipalities.

The Organization Department has issued a circular asking all local Party committees to crack down on corruption in the election of new leaders and to make sure those elected are properly qualified.

It called for "a clean and upright environment for elections" by firmly preventing and severely punishing misconduct such as selling and buying government posts, or offering bribes for higher positions.

The Organization Department asked local Party committees to make joint efforts with the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection committees to curb illicit poll activities.

Those who are found to have acquired official posts through illegitimate means will be punished severely and prosecuted if they break the law, particularly in regard to corruption, the circular said.

And those who have already obtained higher official posts through bribery will be demoted.

The Organization Department has urged the public to call its 12380 hotline to report any malpractice or corrupt candidates during local leadership reshuffles. Li came under notice after reports from the public.

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2007)