More than 160,000 Party officials were punished in China for disciplinary violations in 2012, according to official figures released on January 9, 2013.

The information was released at a press conference held by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China and the Ministry of Supervision.

Disciplinary inspectors launched investigations into more than 155,000 cases in 2012 based on tips from the public. More than 153,000 cases have been concluded, resulting in punishments being handed down for 160,718 people.

The investigations led to the recovery of 7.83 billion yuan ($1.26 billion) in direct economic losses resulting from the violations.