By Fareed Zakaria
There was a blockbuster article in the New York Times recently that details the extent of the private wealth amassed by the family of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. The story is already creating huge waves in China, and although Chinese authorities have reportedly blocked the paper’s site, the story is still being discussed in a million different, quiet ways.
“A review of corporate and regulatory records indicates that the prime minister’s relative – some of whom, including his wife, have a knack for aggressive deal making – have controlled assets worth $2.7 billion,” The New York Times reported. “In many cases, the names of the relatives have been hidden behind layers of partnerships and investment vehicles involving friends, work colleagues and business partners.”
What this highlights for me is not that China is especially corrupt, although corruption there is (as elsewhere) a genuine problem. Instead, this report underscores the answer to a question many of us have been wondering over the years: is China somehow largely immune to the kind of corruption that afflicts developing countries?
Certainly, China has often seemed smoothly technocratic compared with the messy, chaotic, highly corrupt reality of India. And there’s still some truth to this observation. Bureaucratic institutions do function better in China, and from what I can tell there is less corruption there than in India in the routine provision of things like licenses and permits.
However, this article underscores that there is extensive corruption in China of a different kind. People that are well-connected – especially the so-called princelings – get favorable treatment in terms of government loans, investment and licenses. And, because of China’s breathtaking growth, such assistance can add up to hundreds of millions of dollars, meaning that the sums involved are more much more massive than the cash in a brown paper bag that would be handed out for a permit elsewhere.
The issue for China is not whether it has a corruption problem – as I have suggested, I would argue that on a day-to-day basis it has less of a problem than nations such as India and Indonesia. Instead, Beijing’s problem is that its closed political system does not have the legitimacy of elections. This could hit the Communist Party hard as it undermines the image the country has of itself as managed by an elite that governs for the greater good, in a highly meritocratic system.
Now, with the revelations about Wen’s family and the case of disgraced politician Bo Xilai, it will be interesting to see how the Chinese handle these disruptions to the narrative moving forward. Given that its leadership does not appear to intend to hold elections, what processes will the Communist Party implement for handling corruption and leadership selection to maintain any semblance of legitimacy?
It will be fascinating to see how the country grapples with this question.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
No mention here of Romney's wealth ? No discussion of the legimacy of US elections? No comparison of US corruption with developing countries, as if US was largely above all that. Ha!
No, Fareed didn't mean that! There's a difference! Here in the West, we, ordinary people can condemn corruption and expose it, without risking our lives.
Fareed, I was disappointed, that Wen didn't divorce his business-shrewd wife. He was said to be disgusted by how his family members took advantage of his name to enrich themselves. He appeared twice on your show and spoke of ethics and political tenets. In his last public speech in March, he even urged the posterity to judge his tenure. No doubt he must be a bitter man now.
Yes, in America you can expose corraption, but 90% of corraption in America is legal and do not call corraption, specifically if it comes from Chicago.
"US Corruption"?
You mean the $6.6 billion in cash that were airlifted to Iraq in 2004 and never accounted for?
So what?
Pointing your finger at others does not diminish (or validate) the corruption of others.
Could the murder shout "Ted Bundy killed many many people!!" ?
I don't think so.
The world is full of problems and one of the biggest is so many people condoning bad things by saying others are doing it too.
at least corruptions in china are quite fair. everybody has a chance....even the taxi drivers by not issuing receipts.
those corrupted officials in china are very fair. after pocketing the peoples money they used the left overs to show
to the people by building infrastructures; new highways, new bridges and new trains going as far and high as tibet without raising taxes. our politicians in toronto are a very honest lot and they do not corrupt. i wish they were as corrupted as lthe chinese politicians so that the left overs can be used to improve and repair our city without raising our taxes. our subways system is antiquated and our expressway is falling apart. please be corrupted and not have to raise our taxes.
I am sorry, but do you possess an elementary level understanding of government and economics? Corruption has been proven to reduce productivity, and severely reduce government services relative to taxes. If your transportation system has been dilapidated and is on the verge of collapse than more corruption should only ensure its complete loss of function.
A Chinese troll? I can figure out the ignorance and hatred in your comments against US........
If people would stop buying Chinese goods we probably wouldn't even bother asking these questions. Its a country whose foundation is based on massacring Tibetans, stealing intellectual property, dumping cheap goods at a loss(and compensated by their government) to kill industries world wide. We should not be bothered about corruption IN China. We should be concerned how China is killing industries world-wide. The future of our countries and our families hangs by a thread because of this country. This goes way beyond just competing with cheap labor.
boy the bash china brain washers have you converted! Repeating the same old BS is the mantra of the intellectually bankrupt The US companies ran to China with fists full of $`s. Also not one mention about Google, Cisco and obumas pal CEO of GE could not get to Ireland fast enough. for the 11% tax rate as opposed to the US`s 35 %.! Why even target ran to Canada for that 15 % tax break and the US NAFTA agreement. Look to your selves for blame Stop the whining!
it is always easier pointing finger at other people than to look at yourself in the mirror
I do not condone what happened in Tibet, but have we forgotten how our West was won? Let's face it, we are not that innocent to cast that stone.
Einzart is so smart. You are future of the US!
Clearly, you've been watching too much Western media bashing about China. All you see in the Western media is Tibet tibet tibet, Tiananmen Square, tiananmen square, tiananmen square, communism communism communism, and then you're stupid enough to believe that this is all that China is about. Bravo for having the analytical skills of a peanut. Ignorant small minded people like you are why this country is going to hell.
The U.S. is a Democratic capitalist country. It's the onlly political ecomonic system that has ever worked. If Romney is rich, God Bless him. You try to make it sound that if you are rich, you are evil. Not the case. I am working my but off because I want to be rich too.
... I so totally agree with that ... I arrived on the shores of America with $235 t my name ... worked construction, went to school, started a business...failed..started a business.. failed again...started a business .. and now part of the 0.1% ... only in America ... only in America
Good comment. Read this: http://www.justiceforsholom.org/
"US corruption"?
There's no such thing.
"US corruption"?
You mean Dick Cheney / Haliburton?
Nothing could be proven.
Considering the greatest number of wealthy people in the US legislature are dems who've made their fortune "working for the people", I'd say the current administration is just as corrupt as any party in China.
India has no corruption issue.
What does Romneys wealth have to do with anything? What about Kerry's wealth, or Obama's wealth for that matter? Your statement is a joke
Corruption is a major factor globally. People like to imagine they and others are moral beings but the evidence suggests few people will not cheat if they think they can get away with it, e.g., compliance with traffic code.
Corruption is every bit as pervasive in the US as elsewhere, top to bottom, due to human nature and the rarity of people who will do the right thing, even if they can benefit and get away with the wrong thing.
"Corruption is every bit as pervasive in the US as elsewhere." Sorry, if you believe this then you have no idea about the scale and scope of this problem in China. Every country has corruption issues due to human nature as you mention, but downplaying the significance of something so egregious as the systematic corruption in China because other places have corruption as well is a dangerous rationalization.
Corruption is everywhere but there is no capital punishment for corruption except in China. SO SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!
So ... since there is capital punishment for corruption in China, that makes it ok?
How many cases of corruption in China actually lead to the death penalty? Very very few. I read somewhere that the number of cases of corruption over a 3 year period by people in the government equals about 1/3 of all communist party members. Is that something to be proud of? Is that something not worthy of correcting??
in many countries they have capital punishment for murder ... so ... murder is ok !!
Capital punishment in China is only reserved for those who speak up against, or act against, the party. Jintao will certainly not face any sort of charges for his misdeeds, let alone a death sentence, because he's one of the party elite, and has too many connections. However, capital punishment makes a convenient way to get rid of the party's enemies... trump up some corruption charges, insert some "evidence", and bam... you get to execute a political dissident and everyone cheers you on while you do it.
Bet he did not park his money in the Caymans to avoid taxes. Did he buy his wife a half a million dollar horse to get a tax write-off? Greed is everywhere I guess. Too bad even a supposedly christian is no better than a communist.
Which supposed Christian? Romney's a Mormon.
I have heard Chinese students remark that the Chinese Communist Party's system is corrupt ie the family to which one is born into determines one's socioeconomic status for life. The only chance to overcome this built-in disadvantage is to leave the country.
I'm chinese,I live in China,so I can see the truth,but I would say nothing.
I believe you...and this is why we can discuss this openly and you cannot. Surely you see the difference it makes among people and cultures when open discussion is encouraged, even supported by public media! I feel such deep sympathy for those of you living in China under the yoke of oppression you know about but can do so little to be effective against. Your government will not change itself for it thinks nothing is wrong...it is on the backs of the people to change their government. It's never been a pretty story and people die for it, but the result is always the same: the oppressed cease to be oppressed and new life is found!
Sichuan... I got your point. My nephew just spent some time there.
As I understand this article is based on true probbings, we all know the wealthy family, that's why this country is on a brink of collapse.
While no country is perfect, is corruption in China truly any worse than what we have here in America? I don't think so. Here the M.I.C.(military-industrial-complex) owns both the majority in Congrees as well as the White House and will continue to do so no matter whether Mitt Romney or Barack Obama gets elected next month. This is also why this country is constantly at war overseas!
Yes, there is corruption almost everywhere, but if families of government officials can amass BILLIONS of dollars of wealth, while the majority of the country is 3rd world ... I think that is pretty darn bad.
J Foster Dulles...sounds like you've never been outside of the West! Of course corruption is worse in other parts of the world..how can you even debate this? Please go back in your hole of ignorance and stop commenting on CNN.
It is definitely not as bad as in India. Fareed should have known that because when he wanted to switch hand wiping his azz, he had to bribe an Indian official.
i agree J. Foster Dulles' point. China need to solve it by themself as they can get better than before.
New York Times is Germany oriented media; I witnessed for years that they would always be the first ones who advocate two key figures from a fascism circle: Eric Schmidt/Sebastian Thrun
Here is the real issue behind the scene: a war of fascism v.s. anti-fascism; This should be what NYT really report, which might be the reason why NYT smear China:
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, had provided political support for a series of fascism crimes which related to a cold-blooded killing of an innocent Stanford student May Zhou (a girl of U.S. citizen, Taiwan origin, MIT alumnus and Stanford Ph.D. candicate) as well as an unsuccssful plotted murder on me, all started from an on campus atrocity case in Stanford University [Stanford Police Case Number: IR #04-111-0335;Victim: Peter Cao; Criminal Suspect: Gabriele Scheler ], in which an extremely irrational Germany lady named Gabriele Scheler had bitterly assaulted me. Chancellor Merkel might as well back up a coup in Stanford after she visited Stanford in 2010, though it was cracked down by California Judicial Authorities in time. It is an interesting question of how much Chancellor Angela Merkel had invovled into such series of facsism crimes on land of America. I bet with the intervention of Germany power into these cases, such series of fascism crimes would never be clarified and such fascism crimes on land of America would never be concurred by U.S. Authorities. A very serious offending to the dignity and sovereignty of people of the United States as well as to the whole world of humanity
Further details: my contact caomingpeter@163.com
Chinese communists are the biggest mass murders in the History of mankind. According to Distinguished Professor Rudolph Joseph Rummel, the mass killings done by Chinese communist regime can be explained with the marriage between absolute power and an absolutist ideology.
I am talking about a specific case; you are talking about history; your personal view of one piece of history would not be an excuse to those in this fascism circle in this specific case which is fascism by nature
Sebastian Thrun, a Germany Scholar who had got Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit when she visited Stanford in 2010, had partialy left Stanford Computer Science department because he is in debt to Stanford people with his involvement into Stanford student May Zhou’s death, he is not innocent in an unsuccessful plotted murder on me either and I have been cursed by powers from Sebastian Thrun’s side for many years. Sebastian Thrun dare not deny to the public his involvement into such fascism crimes till today and I am still waiting to see why he dare not
I believe Chancellor Angela Merkel had monitored and invovled into Sebastian Thrun, Gabriele Scheler and Eric Schmidt’s fight against ruling from authorities of Stanford and authorities of U.S. over their unruly criminal behaviors on campus of Stanford, and which ensued a series of crimes, including killing the innocent, conspire life of the victim, terrorize/extort authorities, corruption, miscarriage of justice, discrimination against Asian, all on land of America, etc.
how is this related to the article?
I already said how:
New York Times is Germany oriented media; I witnessed for years that they would always be the first ones who advocate two key figures from a fascism circle: Eric Schmidt/Sebastian Thrun
Here is the real issue behind the scene: a war of fascism v.s. anti-fascism; This should be what NYT really report, which might be the reason why NYT smear China:
...
Rebutting someone when the comment was obviously targetted towards another poster? You're obviously using a bunch of fake accounts to make it look like many people agree with you.
Google's Eric Schmidt and Sebastian Thrun had lost their credibility when they got involved into fascism crimes which had endangered human lives
——————————————————
There is actually a war between fascism and anti-fascism, at this stage, fascism still prevails in our lives, Eric Schmidt, Sebastian Thrun and Gabriele Scheler are just front figures we could see in this fascism circle, there is a whole pack of fascists behind them
Eric, as we can see, starting from Gabriele Scheler’s atrocity case on Stanford campus back in 2004, many people, including Gabriele Scheler, Sebastian Thrun, you Eric Schmidt, Professor Ed Feigenbaum of Sebastian Thrun's boss in Stanford Computer Science department, and also Eric Schmidt’s colleague in China Kaifu Lee, had made contributions to such fascism crimes which had cost human life of Stanford student May Zhou and crimes which had retaliated on victims and almost cost life of the victim as I am …
… … and someone who had provided legal coverage for your fascism crimes, including a powerful officer from Santa Clara DA Office, namely ZZZ (and after ZZZ, another officer YYY), and the officer VVV who’s in charge of Gabriele Scheler’s case and who had further collateralled with your side(suspect Eric Schmidt, Sebastian Thrun and Gabriele Scheler’s side) to conspire and curse victims( Stanford, May Zhou, me) in every possible way since 2006 till today; and maybe include the officer RRR who insist on May Zhou’s death as a suicide or accident, even though I had clearly pointed out who’s involved in May Zhou’s murder case …
… … and someone who could provide political support for your fascism crimes, including top politician from the country of Germany whom we all know — Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, and maybe include a retired top politician from UK as well, etc. and more and more to find out later …
—————————————————
I believe, though some names missed out, all names mentioned in the above comment are part of this fascism circle
Need help ?
Here is a real problem at this stage: who is the officer responsible for May Zhou's case?
On 2012/02/21 StanfordDaily article "virtual-learning" [http://www.stanforddaily.com/2012/02/21/virtual-learning/] in Comments part regarding to a murder case about a Stanford student May Zhou with which Eric Schmidt had threatened my life for sake of a stanford professor Sebastian Thrun and a criminal suspect named Gabriele Scheler during their fight with Stanford:
================================================
@concernedNetCitizen,
About your ARROGANT question "If you think you have evidence (and i mean physical evidence) to the contrary why do you not take it to the police, or at least post what evidence you have (and I mean PHYSICAL evidence like fibres, DNA, fingerprints and the like)."
----------------
Before the officer who's responsible would contact me for a serious discussion, how could you know there is no such PHYSICAL evidence to say May Zhou's death is definitely a murder but not a suicide? As a matter of fact, such PHYSICAL evidence already exists and that's what I am going to tell.
The point at this time is, who is this officer who's respnosible for May Zhou's case, whom I should talk to? Could you have me connect with this officer? I have serious stuff to report
Meanwhile, why don't you help us to figure out what's the motivation behind May Zhou's death
My understanding is that Chancellor Angela Merkel’s intervension is one of the primary reasons of why Gabriele Scheler’s atrocity case on Stanford campus [---t.cn/SXQ6Rj--- attention to the 7 photo evidence Stanford Police Case Number: IR #04-111-0335;Victim: Peter Cao; Criminal Suspect: Gabriele Scheler] remains unclarified in the U.S. judicial system after over eight years. Again, that’s a serious offending to the sovereignty and dignity of people of the United States
The problem with Gabriele Scheler’s campus atrocity case [Stanford Police Case Number: IR #04-111-0335;Victim: Peter Cao; Criminal Suspect: Gabriele Scheler] is that Gabriele Scheler’s side had recanted their testimony after Stanford police investigation in 2004; there are certain malicious officers (e.g. ZZZ mentioned above) who chose to stand on this criminal suspect Gabriele Scheler’s side and collateralled with Scheler to conspire victims(e.g. Stanford, May Zhou, me, and later on Google as well) in order to cover up their crimes while applying retaliation on victims, but Scheler’s side dare never show me any of their evidence nor testimony (mine were post on the web) which they used to molest victims for years, and most of all, such malicious officers do not want to see this case from being clarified
Every time there is an article like this, there is an almost certainty that someone is going to post a "America is just as, if not more, corrupt than China." I'm not American. I'm from the neighboring country to the north. However, my experience is, and has been for the past decade, living and doing business in China. Government officials forcing people to leave their homes with little compensation so they can sell off the land to property developers, schools being converted into car dealerships and students sent to shack like schools, streets lined with illegal businesses that survive solely from bribes and pay offs. Billions of dollars a year "disappearing". You can't start a business here without paying off at least ten people, and when the holidays come up, expect to be making those pay offs again. When quoting the law, you're either laughed at or glared at with confusion. Give me a break with comments like the U.S. is worse. The corruption in the U.S. is a toe nail to the corruption in the PRC.
Well said spongemonkey9. Those comments are coming from trolls paid by the CCP, they're all over the web often pretending to be non-Chinese. Take it as further evidence of a corrupt regime. And a sign of its true colors. The scary part is the total absence of any moral grounding. Unfortunately this mindset permeates the governance of PRC enterprises too. Keep that in mind re CNOOC, Huawei, Sany et al.
You sound like you are describing the Philippines. Doing business in Chengdu and China is actually fairly easy, as I have been doing business there for the past 10 years. There are payments that have to made in China, but usually these are done to the state and local governments by your China partner who knows the "TAX". It is true they move people around to accommodate growth, Suzhou is a great example. However, the people moved out were given free housing, and in some cases two or three units free of charge. You don't see a lot of unhappy Chinese in Suzhou, they have jobs, housing and live close to their factories. Will there be a Walter Middy story? No there will not, but that does not mean the most of these factory workers have a happy and enjoyable life compared to people in the west who are never satisfied with their wealth, or can not be happy with their life as they compare themselves with others.
C'mon, why can't you accept the fact that such corruption happens in China? He could've said Philippines if it was in the Philippines. Of course, corruption is rampant in the Philippines but this article is about China's corruption and the man is simply sharing his experience in China. China is a big country, you may be living in a place where "there is no corruption", and he is in another place where reality of corruption bites.
I agree. China takes corruption to another level.
There seems to be minimal respect for law and order. Running red lights. parking anywhere and everywhere. petty theft. bribery ... it is all rampant. one of the bigger problems is that the people ACCEPT it !! they are so used to it that they think that is the way things are supposed to be.
it is ingrained within their society.
You bet.
Italian and unique Jewish Mafia, together with some politicians (blankets), corrupting the Canadian Judicial systems (that has been gained hardly by Fathers of the founder of Confederations-BRITISH), by taking revenges of past negative treatments.
Since the past several years and until recently, the Construction businesses in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British-Columbia are controlled by MAFIA.
Most of the Government Officials are holding positions with blood tinted on their hands.
Hey.this not news in ovr country.If an official does take a bribe,if he is innocent,than if would be a news.There is nothing you can do,this is reality,you just have to accept it.I put myself in great danger to tell you guys about this,I have to pack my bags and go now,because I am afraid some cops are gonna arrest me,last year some poor guys were jailed because of inappropiate words on internet.
In USA, we call bribing as "lobbying". By renaming it, our politicians have also been able to legalize it for their own benefit.
I agree with spongemonkey9. The corruption in China is incredibly bad. The US system, while far from perfect, actually works rather well compared to China. The New Yorker has a recent article on the impact of corruption on the Chinese high speed rail system disaster. It's well worth the read. It seems that China's worst enemy is China itself.
Gee!!! sound very much like Viet Nam, Cambodia, Indonesia, ... At this level of corruption, there is no room for straight people in the government.
If you look at the history of Mankind, the best leader of a country or people is always a Benevolent Dictator. If they are doing good for the country, it is because it is the right thing to do and not because they have a mandate, owe a favor, will make a profit, etc
We do not need to look at china to see a corrupt government, just look at the obama admin.
yeah ah well Bush his friends getting their hands on billions of iraqi oil deals who needs corruption if you can just nuke them in submission.
In Africa,the corruptors are rewarded many years before a project is even started.
In India,the corruptors are rewarded whilst the project is completed.
In Europe,the corruptors are given a secret swiss bank account.
In America,the corruptors are indemnified via wall street in order to legalise it.
In China,the family is rewarded after the project is completed.
I'm an American living in China. I don't see how this "revelation" about the family of Wen Jiabao would have any effect at all. Everyone, including school children, knows that all party officials of rank have money, and lots of it–they see their $100,000 and more cars on the road every day, see them shopping at luxury stores and gaze up at their mansions. It's hardly a secret.
The kids probably think the corrupt leaders actually EARNED their wealth, so the kids look up to them, admire them. They don't realize that they basically stole the money (money that could be used to help the poor and underclass).
Understand?
is China somehow largely immune to the kind of corruption that afflicts developing countries?
How STUPID is this author????? If he had lived in China for 6 months he could answer that question. STUPID!!!!!
Nothing in the report surprised me.
Does anyone want to know how BAD corruption is in China?
All you have to know is that the New York Times published an article about how Premier Wen's family is now filthy rich (with Billions in assets overseas) and the Chinese then blocked access to the NYT in China. On top of this, the Chinese complained about and criticized the investigation that the NYT did.
You know the old saying about how the guilty are the ones who complain the most.
you really hit that one out of the park in your biasd view. You just clobbered all the wrongly convicted innocent people in the world with that comment
Seems like corruption only matters when the US finances are not benefitting from it. Otherwise it's encouraged, just look at how proud Mitt Romney is of his great 'achievements' at Bain capital.
Reblogged this on JUSTheroe and commented:
It fits perfectly as a new instances of the old adage saying "Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely"
If you see a person driving a BMW or Mercedes in China, the first thought that comes to everyone's mind is that the owner is a government official. This isn't only my personal thought, but the belief of most citizens in China.
The question of what is bribery also arises. It is common practice for gifts to be given in China. I know a project director for CNOOC. When he has a new project receiving bids, you should see the gifts he is given. Many of the gifts are equal to an entire years wages for the average Chinese worker. Aside from the gifts, I am sure he also is given cash. He has never told me this, but when he is receiving the gifts, he also starts spending a lot more money. One time, he gave me a LV handbag worth about 6,000 RMB, a gift he had received but his wife didn't like. He told me to give it to my girlfriend. Gifts are then given again during major holidays.
But it isn't only government officials. We needed to get a large component transported to finish a factory. There are only a few freight companies that could haul what we needed. So, of course, we received bids with gifts and cash. We chose to use a company that had done some intercity transport for us before. Of course, you must pay the agreed cost before they will move an inch. After loading the component, they drove it to their stockyards and refused to fulfill the contract, until we paid twice the originally agreed upon cost. So not only did the component arrive late, we had to pay three times the price to have it delivered. This has never been a problem with regular deliveries, but the company knew we had no alternative. As a side not, the paper a contract is written on is worth more than the contract in China.
Fareed, Pleeeease don't tell me how pretty china is . Tell me how ugly India is !!! There has gotta be sumpin happenin' in a country of 1.3+billion mired in poverty and cultural malaise? No kiddin, Swami.
Here is a lead for you, Fareed. Work on it for me and see if you can dig deep into it.
"According to a UN report the view held by students in India is that cheating in examinations is their traditional right. In India universities cheating is now well-established. The fees for manipulating entrance tests ranges between $80 to $20,000 for popular programmes such as computer science, medicine and engineering the report said."
What is CORRUPTION? It vary and similar from one Country to another Country.
©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©
The Webster's Dictionary 1916© – 1972© defining it, based on these years practical experiences.
©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©
All 1% of the Wealthiest Americans are corrupted, as the same as China's wealthiest.
So, is it natural to be corrupted?
It seems to me, it is inherited by bloods, ethnicity, political motives, ...
Here in America, we have seen large Companies and Big guys charged for corruptions. However, most of the corrupts are living under Veils, by implementing Laws to protect them. These are the worst corrupted groups. They make Rules to protect their evil activities.
Currently, we do have Presidential elections. The elections are based on $$$$$$ contributions-means, selling political election with MONEY involved.
CORRUPTION BY BLOOD = JEWISH
Why? They are preventing others from inheriting Jewish owned Estates,....
So who are capable of being or will become CORRUPTED, either in U.S.A or elsewhere????????????
To understand the size and scope of corruption in China, I highly recommend the recently released report by Global Financial Integrity which found that nearly 4 trillion has left the country. All moral discussions aside, the threat to the economy that corruption poses is very tangible, and without accountability the disruptions/ scandals will only grow worse.
you can view the report here: http://www.gfintegrity.org/content/view/581/70/
r
http://www.allroadsleadtochina.com
I don't know what to make of your china corruption story because legal corruption is massive in U.S too but it hardly gets any attention. Dick chenery used his powers to get millions in deferense contracts. Private equity guys like romney, hedge fund managers lobbied specifically to pay 15% tax and they got it. There is a huge shadow banking in the united states and they do play by different rules even after dodd-frank.
If need loan till payday please visit us-payday-loan.net – fast loans up to 30 days.
There is NO corruption in America,what a great nation !
There's corruption everywhere so lets stop acting holier than thou. So officials are taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves due to their positions, big deal – the fact is that the Chinese government has delivered to its people and is still doing so. Yes there are still poor people and it's not a perfect system but you can't turn a blind eye to the millions of people raised out of poverty, the development strides they have made and optimism of the Chinese people. Stop the name calling and your first world ignorant finger pointing and get with the program, the Chinese are here to stay and no smear campaign will stop them.
From my point of view, no one really understand policy, as someone said, each country has their own featured culture and inherent figure. As in China, though there are lots of dark pages, but as we know, we don't have gun shooting affairs in compus, we don't have unbelieveble unemployments, we also don't have war. As the ordinary residents in China, we have our normal life, sometimes we feel happy , sometimes we feel lots of stress , but all these are surely daily life, we are not politicos, we are not the second generation of notable family, what i want to say is , enjoy all the things which we have now, such as love, health, and job. one day, when you stay in bed and can't handle anything, even wait for death, maybe eveything is meanless to you but life.
so , don't be so radical about the policy especially to the other countries which you don't really understand !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
everyone could see, there are still lots of forengners from US, England, Australia, Korea ........live in China, work in China, so, shut up , and buy some books , then learning, before you write articles...
From a Chinese........
I do appreciate your opinion. I feel comfortable in my country, china.
China has nearly as many people who die in mines as murders in the U.S., and the murder rate in the U.S. is the lowest it has been since 1964. This does not even count the deaths in all the other industries. Per capita GDP in China is just over 6K, and over 40K in the United States. Official unemployment in China, as pretty much all official reporting, is a joke. When 500 million still live on next to nothing in rural areas, more than the entire U.S. population, then I do not think we can really compare the job situation. Nice Chinese propaganda, but as usual, reality is hard to ignore.
Cannot compare the two, China was the world weakest and the poorest only 50 years ago.
Chinese are brought up differently; western style governing policy might not always work for Chinese. Singaporean knows this more than most people. Most possible China will adopt "Singaporean democracy".
The end product of Chinese corruption (personal enrichment and influence buying) is no worse than the results of the American system of lobbying. Chinese corruption is under the table, ours is above the table, but the results are the same. Having lived in China for a number of years, I can assure you that their corruption is pervasive. If China ever reaches a tipping point for radical change, it will be because ordinary people will have had enough of the cronyism and corruption that erodes every facet of their lives.
Comparing the two is naive. Corruption in the U.S. is not nearly as extensive, and you cannot compare campaign donations to the secretive business deals that regularly take place in China. The fact that one party is in charge only makes the problem more difficult to overcome. There is no watch dog that can crack down when the highest levels participate, and they are the only ones in charge. As media becomes more bold, we will begin to learn more about China's issues and how deep this problem really is.
Directly, you cannot compare the two, you are right Bill. But don't let this article pull the wool over your eyes. The military industrial complex in this country has as much reach into politics and influential spending as any corruption in China. Legitimate elections in the US...get over yourself! Obama or Romney – what's the difference? Ben Bernanke announces QE# (ready for a great depression to make the 30;s look like kindergarten class?) Don't kid yourself, every stat you know every "freedom" you think you have is an illusion perpetuated by the blind patriotism of those who base their devotion to this country on the lies and religious zealousy of its past. Sure we have freedom of dissent – oh wait, what happened in Oakland? Sure we have the freedom to a fair and just trial... sure our votes mean something...sure anybody can run for office....Chinese Corruption = American Corruption. Difference: America issues its citizens credit to satisfy their greed so they stay disillusioned with how bad things actually are. Not to worry – that bubble is bursting as we speak. All along there has only been one party in charge of America – THE FEDERAL RESERVE! Lose the blinders...governments are bad in any and every facet, they are the reason for injustice, poverty and exploitation of all peoples everywhere in the world.
Zakaria asks
" Given that its leadership does not appear to intend to hold elections, what processes will the Communist Party implement for handling corruption and leadership selection to maintain any semblance of legitimacy?"
To the extent that it is cleaner than India, Indonesia and some other nations of similar per capita income. And they do deal sternly with those who make plagiarisms.
PM: Australia must embrace 'Asian Century' --– So, Australia will increase corruption?
None of this will be a problem as long as the economy keeps chugging along. I believe, however, that it is inevitable that China will suffer a hiccup and that is when the ugly will begin. This is a country ripe for discontent, when the gap between the haves and have nots becomes obvious. We shall see.
The gap between the haves and have nots in China is definitely obvious, as much as it is in the United States.
However, in China the Middle Class is much much smaller than the USA, meaning that the gap is much much larger.
The most corrupt political system in the world? Easily the UNITED STATES.
Bribery officials (laughingly called LOBBYISTS) have offices setup on Capitol Hill, and "lobbying" (bribery) is a process largely accepted by the American public as the way that things get done in Washington DC.
At least other countries have the decency to call it what it is – corruption.
Not only are the Chinese corrupt..They will steal any patent and any intellectual property available..They practice State run theft and are terrible at telling the truth...They are an enemy..
Go hide in your cave, you really want to make 1/6 of the world's population your enemy? What a short sighted arrogant thing to do.
How bad is corruption in China? Every bureaucrat is a millionnaire in a country where the per capita income is only $5000.
In USA, we call bribing as "lobbying". By renaming it, our politicians have also been able to legalize it for their own benefit.
Corruption in China is no different than corruption in Chicago!!!! The "most politically corrupt city in the nation" is experiencing a massively high murder rate and massively high high school drop out rate. Democrats and Communists have lots in common. Add to that the Mainstream US news media! The US media supports Democrats like the Chinese media supports communists. The US news media is covering up all of Obama's crimes and transgressions like the China's media covers up its government crimes and transgressions. The people of the US are now under attack by the truth terrorists. Word has it that Obama doesn't watch CNN anymore because they don't report what is really happening.
What a completely inane article. China is well known for it's corruption from its leadership to its theft of intellectual property (for thousands of years!). Other countries may be corrupt but a socialist system that leads to the leadership becoming wealthy beyond measure is a true indication of top to bottom corruption.
if self-immolations inside Tibet is anything to judge by, it is absolutely horrendous. 62 People have burned themselves in protest against the Colonial rule of the Chinese Communist party and not one peep out of them or any responsible govts in the world. COrruption is rampant in CHina, and it is at all levels of the Govt, unlike Farrid's assertion. Ask any businessman who wants to do business in China and you will understand how the 'GIfts' appear to change the opinions of officials in getting any permits or access. Everything is a facade in there. Lack of information doesn't mean it doesn't happen there. It just means it is not reported and the problem is widespread, much like its human rights violations in Tibet and East Turkistan.
Now, with the revelations about Wen’s family and the case of disgraced politician Bo Xilai, it will be interesting to see how the Chinese handle these disruptions to the narrative moving forward.
narrative moving forward-lol. you are getting worse, fareed, my friend
How bad is corruption in China? I'd say it's right on par with the USA, no need to read the article. Next!
"managed by an elite that governs for the greater good, in a highly meritocratic system." And how again is this different than Mitt Romneys America?
China, nothing but a country of 10 billion sheep, looked after by a small den of lions.
Corruption in China is by far no worse than corruption in Chicago,just look at that giant fat cop beating up a tiny bartender and only getting probation.
What does "meritocratic" mean?
Comment based on how term applies to China since we don't really know how the leaders are chosen or what their qualifications (merits) are. What does this have to do with corruption? Should this article be about legitimate elections (or lack of) in China, or the widespread corruption in India and Indonesia as suggested? Or more importantly, how corruption in China affects the trade deficit?
"People that are well-connected – especially the so-called princelings – get favorable treatment in terms of government loans, investment and licenses."
Doesn't sound so different from over here...
The difference between China and America is that officials guilty of corruption in China are killed. In America, it's legal and they get reelected.
Fareed, your analysis is correct, but you have made an unfair comparison. The fact that corruption occurs at many levels in India/Indonesia but only with the Princleings in China is true but, in a controlled State, where the essential levers are controlled by the Communist party, there can be corruption only at one level. The State has uncontrolled access to resources, labour and land, which is unthinkable in India or Indonesia. Therefore, the scope and extent of corruption at the Party level in China is significantly higher than the sum total of all corruption in Indonesia or India. The reason for a gag on the NYT story is that most people know this is the case and the State is worried that a repeat of the Soviet Collapse is a real possibility
If you think china is corrupt, then u haven't seen nothing. India's corruption is at very very high level. Over there every1 who works at government level is corrupted ( from gate opener to PM).
So easy to condemn others, like the U.S. is so sqeaky clean in everything we do.
China is corrupt beyond belief, and if a person, as a Chinese citizen, complains too much, they wind up in prison, simply for complaining. My girlfriend left China for the US 20 years ago, but some of her family still lives there, and she says the US is far better than China.
ahh yes.. the old my gf left china storyline......
Part of it is what is considered "ethical" in China.
The use of "guanxi" or connections is part of almost every facet of Chinese life. It is how you can find a better job or promotion, get your kid into a private school, or get an chance to go to a prestigious foreign university. Even when money or "gifts" or anything else changes hands, it is not considered a big deal.
The only difference with "normal Chinese people" and the relatives of high officials, is the amount of money involved. But the behavior itself? Not unusual whatsoever, so most Chinese don't care.
Now, a related issue is where the big difference is. In the US/West, when these kind of shady business dealings take place, people can sue and the law enforcement agencies can investigate/prosecute.
In China, the "rule of law" is so weak as to be almost non-existent. People with the aforementioned "guanxi" have been buying their way out of trouble for themselves and their relatives for years. And also, the courts at all levels are puppet, whose strings are pulled by the local/provincial party bosses, so even if they wanted to do something, they can't. No independent judiciary, at all.
So in the end, yes: corruption in China is bad, and worse than a lot of places. But also, there is very little in place people can do to change it, and that is arguably worse.
You've got it about right.
I did business in the PRC for a couple years and what is called "corruption" in the US or Europe is called "business" in China.
Don't give gifts or throw parties or "lose at gambling" to the right people and you have no chance at making that deal.
I read a book before I went over called "the 12 rules to doing business in China" or something like, and a Chinese friend commented that all the stuff in there was nice, and true, to a certain extent, but they are all trumped by the 13th rule: the envelope (usually red) full of cash.
Granted, the US is not perfect, and corruption does happen, but when it happens, at least there is the opportunity to prosecute the crooked politicians or public employees. Try standing up for justice in China and accusing a greedy politician or crooked bureaucrat, and it will result in the accuser's imprisonment, non-stop harassment or other severe punishment. Look what happened to the grieving parents of killed schoolchildren who complained to the government about the shoddy construction of schools that collapsed too easily in the earthquakes a few years ago. The parents lost their child, and all they demanded was an end to corrupt building practices and crooked inspectors who allowed poor construction due to bribes, and these parents were silenced with imprisonment. China's government does not care about individuals, that is, unless you are a member of the communist party ruling class.
Please don't make artificially faulty analysis or comments if you do not know anything more than a skin deep knowledge of a country. Stick with what you know. Since you do not have social, cultural, and political first-hand knowledge and information about China, how you can make any meaningful analysis of it current state in terms of corruption ?
Is this a trick question?
However, this article underscores that there is extensive corruption in China of a different kind. People that are well-connected – especially the so-called princelings – get favorable treatment in terms of government loans, investment and licenses. ................
So in other words China is like a USA. Corruption at the individual level is small but at governmental and corporate level is high! Should I say the Military Industrial Complex? or how about the $40K hammer and toilet bowl? How about the F-35 program that is now costing US taxpayers over $100 billion?
Replace the word 'corrupt' with' lobbying' and regulatory with legal and this article isdescribing the USA. In other words there is ZERO difference. At least in china if truly caught they kill you.. in the US you get promoted or at worst spends couple months in a house arrest in million $ penthouse.
I'm from hong kong, those chinese from mainland are so pathatic, their comments simply endorse the crooked regime. I also want to say all guys here are wrong. Wen has very limited power. This was all but framed by Bo xi-lao's gang.
I suspect the level of corruption in Red China is on a par with the levels of corruption in pretty-much every totalitarian state throughout history: VERY.
Gee, how many of these comments are being generated by the Chinese Government? Now thats real corruption!
"what processes will the Communist Party implement for handling corruption and leadership selection to maintain any semblance of legitimacy?"
Come on Fareed! What "processes"?? Those in the CCP most in danger of being exposed will begin eliminating those
who threaten them. And those least able to hide their corruption will begin allying themselves with those most capable
of eliminating "threats" and protecting "friends". The "process" is simply Darwinian survival of the fittest.
It's too bad that the "process" won't eliminate the CCP or the newly wealthy "business geniuses" whose sole operating
principle is "greed is GOOD!"
China is heading for a catastrophe of its own making.
It's a very good article.However,there are some points I can't agree with.So far as I konw,what's magazines said about Wen's family haven't involed any direct evidence.Maybe some magazine will be sued for defamation of Wen's character. The media should adhere to be objective,that's to say,medias should be responsible.
The author is wrong about the Bible being easier on the killing of an unborn baby. It is treated the same as a life outside the womb throughout the Bible. The author of this article has a habit of trying to defend his liberal agenda by using argumnets made by different Christians. At any point in time you can find many perspectives from man but the Bible is very clear about the killing of unborn babies ( not fetuses ) and other culturaly sensative issues the writer loves to twist. If you muddy the water it allows you to avoid the truth – but the Bibles position is clear to anyone who reads the Bible without an agenda.
Who cares about China, or any other countries? They can corrupt anyway they want. Someone please care a little bit for USA! Fareed Zakaria must be paid by China.
Mankind is corrupt and not worthy of inheriting the Earth. Evolution has a long way to go with this species.
no different than it has always been....and will always be...until there is no more china.
Wow, this is a seriously poorly written article...reads more like the work of an undergrad student than a seasoned reporter..
Chi-coms? They are inherently corrupt...just like the Soviets....
In the history few years, several of the theme at this pandal have been subject matter like women's empowerment and the human rights and duty of citizens. This year's theme of forthrightness has been bring to life by art director Nilesh Choudhary.
Amurica