Corruption

Medical workers rescue a patient at the intensive care unit of Pengshan District People's Hospital, following a surge of Covid-19 infections across the country, in Meishan, Sichuan province, China, on 21 January 2023. (CNS photo via Reuters)

When heroes and the corrupt coexist: Rooting out medical corruption in China

Commentator Tan Haojun highlights the many grey areas that the people in white in China find themselves in, amid an all-out anti-corruption campaign in the medical sector. It may be unimaginable that the same sector lauded for brave work during the pandemic is under investigation for rampant corruption. The reality is that heroes and the corrupt coexist, and only by reining in those hungry for power and profit can the system start to rid itself of the bad hats.
A child sitting on a man's shoulder takes a picture as she visits the Bund waterfront area in Shanghai, China, on 5 July 2023. (Wang Zhao/AFP)

Is China’s good fortune reversing?

Whether China can prove naysayers wrong and keep up its good national fortunes depends on solving old problems associated with restarting the mechanisms of the Soviet Union model, and tackling new problems arising from successful development.
Medical workers wheel a patient at a hospital in Shenyang, China's northeastern Liaoning province, on 21 October 2021. (AFP)

China’s medical crackdown has unintended repercussions

Over the past month, China’s medical sector has been swept by a wave of anti-corruption efforts, with nearly 180 hospital directors and secretaries under investigation so far. Some people cheer the aggressive effort, but it has also created a lot of unintended repercussions. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Chen Jing discusses her own experience seeing doctors in China and warns of the potential drawbacks of a stern crackdown.
Security officers stand guard inside the Great Hall of the People ahead of the fourth plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China, on 11 March 2023. (Greg Baker/Pool via Reuters/File Photo)

China's never-ending battle against corruption

The recent spate of reports about investigations into senior Chinese officials — especially in the military — have prompted questions about what is happening in China. Given the lack of transparency in the Chinese government, it is hard to come to any firm conclusion about what these “fallen tigers” have done, but it is easy to see that corruption is still a major problem in the highly centralised system.
Visitors stand in front of a giant screen displaying Chinese President Xi Jinping next to a flag of the Communist Party of China, at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing, China, 8 October 2022. (Florence Lo/File Photo/Reuters)

Leadership reshuffle spells trouble within China’s military governance

The sudden reshuffle of senior officers of the People’s Liberation Army has shocked the media and the public. While the reasons for the removal of two generals from the Rocket Force remains unclear, authorities seem to be signalling an anti-corruption wave in China’s military. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu tells us more.
A staff member works inside the Great Hall of the People ahead of the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing on 13 March 2023. (Noel Celis/Pool via Reuters)

Why ‘political swindlers’ are still rife in China

”Political swindlers“ are a problem in China’s political circles, with officials getting conned into providing favours for who they think are high-powered individuals with connections to the CCP’s top leadership, only to find themselves in trouble when the game is exposed. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan gives examples of such cases, and efforts to clamp down on such fakery.
Two men riding an electric scooter smoke cigarette as they wait to cross a street in Beijing, China, on 12 May 2023. (Wang Zhao/AFP)

China’s tobacco monopoly is swept up in corruption probes

Nearly 20 senior executives and officials from the government-controlled China National Tobacco Corporation (China Tobacco) and the regulator, State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, have been caught up in the anti-graft investigation since 2021. Huge profits and the vertical management structure have made the tobacco industry a breeding ground for corruption.
A residential building in Changsha collapsed, with 54 dead and nine injured. (Internet)

No running away: China's officials to bear 'lifelong accountability' for past mistakes

Following a residential building collapse in Hunan last year, several officials have been investigated, including Chongqing mayor Hu Henghua, who left Hunan 18 months ago. Does this mean that officials are now held accountable for incidents from their previous posts, and also for life? What does this say about China's current political climate?
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.