The handling of Ling Jihua's corruption case showcases the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s commitment and determination to advance rule of law and strictly govern the Party, says a People's Daily commentary.

Ling, former deputy head of China's national political advisory body, was sentenced to life imprisonment for taking bribes, illegally obtaining state secrets and abuse of power, the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin ruled on July 4.

In Ling's case, the entire process, from investigation, jurisdiction designation, prosecution, hearing to sentence, was handled in accordance with the law, which has demonstrated that the anti-graft efforts were made based on facts and law, the article to be published July 5 says.

Ling accepted bribes totaling over 77 million yuan ($11.6 million) personally and through his family, according to the court.

Those who violate Party rules and law, no matter how senior their positions are, will be punished in accordance with the law, says the commentary.

The CPC, a party with over 88 million members that rules a country with a population of 1.3 billion people, must be managed and governed in a strict manner, and facts have proven that CPC's crackdown on corruption has won wholehearted support from its members and the public, the article added.

The commentary says all Party members, especially leading cadres, should draw lessons from Ling's case, restraining their family members or staff and exercising their power in line with Party discipline and law.

"A clean party with a firm faith, strict rules and excellent working styles is, and will always be, invincible," the article says.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2016)