China has launched a nationwide campaign to crack down on rampant commercial bribery in its construction industry.

Liu Zhifeng, vice-minister of construction, said on Wednesday the campaign is part of the central government's efforts to wipe out commercial bribery in various economic sectors so that the principles of clean government and fair competition could be upheld in the country's burgeoning market economy.

Various forms of commercial bribery are believed to be prevalent in the construction industry of China, which now boasts half the world's new buildings completed every year.

Liu urged industry watchdogs and construction enterprises to carry out a self-examination and rectification campaign.

Major cases exposed in the campaign shall be investigated thoroughly and the offenders shall be brought to justice, no matter who they are, he said.

The vice minister also stressed the need for the establishment of a long-term mechanism for the prevention of commercial bribery.

For example, he said, government licensing shall be further reduced, and the government must also ensure its working is more transparent.

Source: Xinhua