BEIJING -- China's top anti-graft authority said that the country's anti-graft situation remains difficult and complicated and the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's stand on fighting corruption remains firm.

The mission and goals remain unchanged, said a communique released after the end of the three-day sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Thursday, calling for deepening the anti-graft fight through strong willpower and tenacity.

"Strict punishment is a form of deep love, and curing illnesses is done to save people's lives," it said, stressing that disciplinary departments have a crucial role to play in "educating a majority by punishing a minority."

The document praised the intensified anti-corruption drive, which began after the 18th CPC National Congress in late 2012, as having consolidated the political foundation for the CPC's governance and people's trust and confidence in the Party.

Stressing Party management according to both ethics and discipline, the communique highlighted Party constitution as the fundamental code of conduct for all Party members.

"In order to manage the Party strictly, high standards must be upheld... [if] all Party members pursue these high standards and bear in mind the awe and fear, they will firmly obey discipline and help make the CPC forever clean and advanced," it said.

The document urged CPC organizations at all levels to take lead responsibility in the comprehensive and strict management of the Party, while disciplinary departments were urged to exert full efforts to supervise officials and pursue violators.

"Stricter than the law, Party discipline must serve as the benchmark and unassailable bottom line for the management of the Party," the document said, urging Party groups to warn against potential misconduct and punish violations in a timely fashion.