Corruption

This picture shows police in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 6 December 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP)

China’s corruption crackdown targets officials even after they step down

China’s anti-corruption agency announced on 5 February that three CCP cadres were under investigation for disciplinary issues — specifically, corruption. While the CCP’s anti-corruption efforts have apparently shown results, those under investigation usually come under scrutiny after they leave their posts. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan looks at how effective such crackdowns are.
Delegates during the closing ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on 22 October 2022. (Bloomberg)

Death of China’s factional politics

Academic Lu Xi notes that the traditional notions of factional politics of the Chinese Communist Party has changed following the 20th Party Congress. With a greater centralisation of power, jousting among any remaining factions or subfactions will likely prove less relevant.
From left: (top row) Former senior Chinese officials Fu Zhenghua, and Wang Like; (bottom row) Gong Daoan, Deng Huilin, and Liu Xinyun. (Internet)

CCP removes political factions and corrupt officials ahead of 20th Party Congress

Corrupt officials linked to former Vice-Minister of Public Security Sun Lijun have recently been meted harsh sentences, among which include life imprisonment and removal of personal assets. Is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sending out a message, with just weeks left before the commencement of the 20th Party Congress? Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong tells us more about the CCP’s crackdown on “political factions”.
Chinese soldiers walk near the entrance of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, on 20 September 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP)

CCP raises the bar for officials' performance ahead of 20th Party Congress

With just weeks left before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s 20th Party Congress, officials are now faced with stricter performance requirements to curb laziness, incompetence and other characteristics that have been deemed “unfitting” for a leading cadre. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu tells us more about how the new regulations would impact officials and the CCP leadership.
Can China become fully self-reliant in the semiconductor industry? (iStock)

China’s semiconductor Great Leap Forward is doomed to fail

Political commentator Jin Jian Guo believes that the semiconductor Great Leap Forward pushed by the Chinese authorities could have the same devastating effects as the Great Leap Forward of the past. In an industry that is globally interconnected, persisting with the impossible endeavour of becoming fully self-reliant would only result in further instances of failing to learn from history.
A Chinese chip investment fund is at the centre of an expanding anti-graft crackdown on the semiconductor industry. (iStock)

Five things to know about China’s scandal-struck chip industry ‘Big Fund’

An anti-graft crackdown targeting the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund is rattling the entire semiconductor industry. What is the "Big Fund" and how does it work? What are its most recognised and controversial projects and how did it play a role as a fund of funds? And what’s the role of Sino IC Leasing Co. in all this?
China is clamping down on corruptions and wrongdoings in its chip industry. (iStock)

China’s chip industry 'Big Fund' crackdown: Corruptions or failed investments?

China’s Big Fund has come under scrutiny following a series of high-profile corruption investigations involving key persons in the chip industry. The CHIPS Act was also recently signed into law in the US to counter China, which makes things even more difficult for the sector. Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing speaks to industry experts to find out how the Big Fund can come out of this crisis.
People walk in the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai, China, 1 June 2022. (Aly Song/Reuters)

China's crackdown on stats fraud in local governments. Why now?

The recent removal of high-ranking officials has cast the spotlight on the longstanding issue of local governments fabricating statistics. As officials compete for promotion, they manipulate economic data to show stellar political achievements, but this leads to bad policies, blind optimism and unrealistically high goals. Zaobao's associate editor Han Yong Hong looks into the matter.
A file photo of Chen Min'er. (SPH Media)

Chongqing party secretary Chen Min’er is the man to watch

After nearly five years, Chongqing party secretary Chen Min’er has delivered a good report card in terms of helping to put political blights to rest and making tangible strides in poverty alleviation. Looking ahead, Chongqing is expected to focus on high-quality economic development, whether or not Chen is parachuted out before the 20th Party Congress. Zaobao correspondent Edwin Ong examines the issue.