Click for more photos

BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday announced the measures his government will take in the new year to check corruption, targeting in particular unnecessary red tape, collusion between officials and businessmen, extravagance and waste.

Addressing an annual State Council anti-graft conference, Wen told officials that there are many obstacles in the drive to build a clean government. A series of major corruption cases have been exposed and there is a "serious" problem of officials abusing their posts or colluding with businessmen to make profits.

"A handful of graft cases involving high ranking officials have had a very negative impact on society," Wen said. "Waste and extravagance are rampant among officials and some issues concerning common people's immediate interests remained unsolved."

Wen ordered focusing on five tasks this year, centering around regulating the use of executive power:

-- cut government red tape, including the process of approving projects and issuing various certificates.

-- continue the fight against commercial bribery;

-- curb the widespread trend of building and renovating government offices against regulations;

-- promote a thrifty lifestyle; and

-- and solve problems of particular concern to the public, including issues concerning housing, medical care, and food safety.

Wen vowed greater efforts in fighting collusion between officials and businessmen in commercial bribery, especially in cases concerning construction projects, land leases, purchase of pharmaceuticals, and exploitation of natural resources.

On construction of government offices, Wen said departments which already have suitable offices are not allowed to buy new offices or expand their buildings. And any government office construction deemed as waste or inappropriate should be stopped or delayed immediately.

"Leaders of various levels of governments should take the lead in the anti-graft drive. They should strictly ensure that their family members, friends, and close subordinates do not abuse government influence," Wen said.