China to uproot 'protective umbrellas' of organized crime

A document issued on Wednesday stressed that a campaign on organized crime should involve fighting corruption, including lower-level corrupt officials, and deal with "protective umbrellas" of gang crime.

Disciplinary agencies should punish Communist Party of China (CPC) members involved in gang crime in disciplinary supervision and inspection, according to the document released by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

The document said that disciplinary agencies and political and legal bureaus should find and tackle the corruption behind gang crime.

Disciplinary agencies at all levels should deal with "protective umbrellas" and investigate no matter who is involved.

Organized crime is deeply interwoven with corruption and cases related to poverty reduction should be given the highest attention.