IN an effort to fight corruption, Shenzhen unveiled regulations Wednesday that deprive government officials of the chance to be promoted as head of a government agency if all their family members are living permanently overseas.

The regulations, which took effect Wednesday, apply to officials whose spouses and children live overseas permanently, or hold another country's citizenship or have become permanent residents of a foreign country for reasons unrelated to their occupations.

Called "naked" officials, these government employees won't be appointed Party or government agency chiefs and won't become committee members of important government agencies, according to the regulations.

"The new rules show the city government has stepped up efforts to combat corruption," Tan Guoxiang, head of city's discipline watchdog, said Wednesday.

Government officials being considered for promotion are required to file a report detailing their investments and property status, as well as the employment and residency status of their spouses and any children.

According to the regulations, heads of government agencies will also be barred from taking direct charge of human resources, finance, examining and approving important applications and executing the law.

Government officials will be dismissed from their posts if dereliction of duty leads to major accidents risking public security. They won't be allowed to assume their original posts or a similar position within a year of their dismissal, according to the regulations.

Source:Shenzhen Daily