The Party discipline watchdog in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province vowed to closely investigate and punish Party members for making groundless comments on the Party's leadership in 2016, media reported Tuesday.

The discipline inspection commission pledged to impose punishment - in addition to punishment imposed by the Party's leadership - on those who irresponsibly make comments about the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and socialism with Chinese characteristics, Guangzhou-based Nanfang Daily reported.

Cai Penghao, head of the commission's publicity department, told a news conference on Monday about the department's work objectives for 2016, which emphasize improving Party conduct, building a clean government and eradicating corruption.

The announcement follows the case of Ren Zhiqiang - a property tycoon whose Sina Weibo account had more than 37 million followers - who will be punished by the Xicheng District Committee of the CPC in Beijing after openly criticizing President Xi Jinping's emphasis on Party leadership in Party-run media.

According to Cai, the commission will more heavily stress the strict observance of rules and disciplinary practices, in addition to strengthening supervision over the implementation of political discipline.

Collusion for political and economic benefits will be relentlessly investigated to safeguard unity and solidarity within the Party, Cai said.

Cai also announced that government departments will engage in further coordination to build a platform for sharing anti-corruption information.