Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday said China will deepen its anti-corruption efforts by improving the mechanism used to control power, money and government officials.

Li made the remarks at a State Council meeting dedicated to anti-corruption work, the first such meeting held by the new cabinet.

Li said the cabinet must focus on building a government that is innovation-oriented and clean, as well as features the rule of law.

Describing the cleanup efforts as a crucial task, he said a failure to curb and effectively address corruption will cause the government to lose credibility and public support.

Li said power should be "coated with preservatives" and "sheathed in inhibition" so to establish a mechanism that lacks loopholes.

Making power open and transparent is one of the most effective ways of combating corruption, said Li.

Li urged authorities to disclose information concerning environmental pollution and food safety that are related to the vital interests of the people, as well as further detail their budgets and final accounts, including money used for their government-funded overseas trips, vehicles and receptions.

Another powerful method for countering corruption involves deepening related reforms and transforming government functions to delegate power to lower levels of government, said Li.

"The government should not do work that is supposed to be done by the market. That would be a weakening or even a dereliction of government duties," Li said.

Power must be exercised in accordance with the law, said Li. He warned that all government staff must exercise their powers and perform their duties within statutory authority and in strict accordance with legal procedures.

Noting the slowed increase of China's fiscal income, Li said the government should tighten its purse strings and fight extravagance.

He promised that the government will refrain from using public funds to construct new government buildings, reduce the number of government employees and restrain expenditures on receptions, official travel and purchases of official vehicles during his tenure.

"Government funds and public assets are the property of all taxpayers. No one has the right to embezzle, misuse or waste them," he said.

He also promised to budget all government expenses step-by-step in order to facilitate transparency.

The government will realize a complete, open, transparent and standard budget for all its revenues and expenses so that the public can effectively supervise, he said.

Li said the task of eliminating corruption remains arduous and officials at all levels should make themselves into good examples.

Li urged reinforcing supervision and inspection over policy implementation at the local level to ensure the smooth passing-down of government decrees.

"Policy implementation should be used as an important standard for assessing the performance of local governments and officials," said Li.

Officials' administrative actions should be based on law and sound procedure, Li said, adding that those who do not comply will assume legal liability.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2013)