The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection the ruling party's disciplinary watchdog has met for a plenary session.

The General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Hu Jintao, gave a keynote speech at Tuesday's gathering. He called on party members and officials at all levels to avoid corruption and to always put the people's interests first.

Facing the current complex international situation and the daunting task of domestic reforms, China's anti-corruption campaign has met new challenges.

Hu Jintao said thrift and hard work are critical for government officials during the global economic downturn.

He asked officials to recognize the significance of fighting corruption in maintaining fast and steady economic growth and building a harmonious society.

He asked the CPC disciplinary watchdog to strengthen supervision, and promote the education of officials.

Hu Jintao called for more efforts in investigating cases of corruption in fields which are essential to the country's development.

He stressed that people's interests should always be upheld in the anti-graft campaign and in the daily work of all official departments.

The Disciplinary Commission Secretary, He Guoqiang, also delivered a report, calling for anti-corruption punishment and prevention systems to be finalized.

China's crackdown on corruption in 2008 focused on collusion between officials and business people, involving abuse of power in exchange for money.

The commission says as of November, nearly five thousand officials above the county head level were punished for corruption in 2008.

(CCTV January 14, 2009)