China’s anti-graft watchdog has announced that more than 500 officials from taxation departments have been sanctioned over illegal connections with tax agents this year, local media reported Saturday.

The Shanghai Daily cited the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection as saying on its website that a total of 533 people had been found at fault.

The Commission announced Friday that 58 local taxation departments had either leased offices to tax agents or supplied them free of charge.

Meanwhile, 10 departments conducted “inappropriate financial transactions” with tax firms while 10 other permitted agents to use their canteens.

According to the Commission, the measures are part of a national campaign – aimed at government impartiality – to ensure state institutions are not involved with non-governmental intermediate agencies.

China has been undertaking widespread disciplinary measures to curb forms of corruption and abuse of power.

In 2013, President Xi Jinping launched an anti-corruption drive under which tens of thousands of suspects have been investigated, including dozens of high-profile individuals at the top of the Communist Party of China. (AA)

•Photo shows Chinese President Xi Jinping.