BEIJING - The 17th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded its two-day Eighth Plenary Session on Sunday, pledging to intensify anti-corruption efforts.

The meeting discussed and approved a work report to be submitted by the CCDI to the 18th CPC National Congress, scheduled to open on November 8.

He Guoqiang, CCDI Secretary and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the meeting.

The Party's efforts to improve cadres' conduct in office and fight corruption since the 17th CPC National Congress five years ago have taken effect, said a communique released by CCDI after the meeting.

However, the document said it must be fully understood that anti-corruption is a "long-term, complicated and tough battle," given the changing situation as well as complicated and critical challenges faced by the Party.

With a new situation concerning the world, China as well as the CPC, the Party is facing "long-term, complicated and severe tests in governing the country, in carrying out reform and opening up, in developing the market economy, as well as tests in the external environment," it said.

Meanwhile, the document said the whole Party is confronted with growing danger of "lacking in drive, incompetence, divorce from the people, and corruption."

The CPC will stick to the guideline of curbing graft by both penalty and preventive measures while focusing more on prevention, according to the document.

"Fighting corruption and promoting cleanness and honesty in a resolute manner is a consistent political stand held by the CPC and also a key political issue that is of major concern to the people," said the communique.

Greater efforts will be made to improve the CPC's corruption punishment and prevention system, and to solve the outstanding problems that are major sources of complaints by the masses, the communique said.

The efforts aim to bring about honest cadres and clean governments, thus guaranteeing the implementation of key policies and plans chalked out by the upcoming 18th CPC National Congress, it added.

Zhang Jun and Chen Wenqing were elected as CCDI deputy secretaries at the plenary session.