To root out corruption, China must institute checks on government power
Hu Shuli applauds the latest measure to crack down on club membership, and urges a fundamental restructure that allows oversight of authority
China's anti-corruption campaign has moved up a gear. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection last week ordered disciplinary officials to give up, by June 20, all club membership cards they had received as gifts. This zero-tolerance policy deserves praise.
Since the introduction of the government's "eight rules" and "six prohibitions" to rein in official excesses, many corrupt cadres have been sacked, while others have noticeably toned down their excesses. But many officials are probably only lying low to "wait out the storm". To convince a sceptical public that it means business, the government cannot afford to ease up now.
Some people have absurdly claimed that fighting graft will undermine the economy
The target of the latest crackdown is direct: membership of exclusive clubs beloved by government officials who like to flaunt their power and privilege. The Red Mansion of smuggling kingpin Lai Changxing was one notorious example. The proliferation of such clubs, in Beijing and elsewhere, provide opportunities for under-the-table deals away from prying eyes. The government should be commended for extending the anti-corruption sweep to these more secretive channels unknown to most Chinese.
It is also right to be targeting those on the front lines of the anti-graft battle. Disciplinary officials must lead by example. If they are themselves corrupt, how could other government departments willingly submit to their scrutiny, or public trust be gained?
Worryingly, too many disciplinary officials have already been found to be corrupt. Realistically, the "zero-tolerance" crackdown on VIP cards is likely to miss a few big fish.
The government knows it, and is treating its directive as only the start of a new phase of the corruption fight. It will target anti-graft officials first, then all levels of party cadres; its purview will also extend beyond VIP clubs to cover the other hidden forms of corruption. Moreover, it has signalled that it welcomes the people's help to uncover misdeeds.
But the anti-corruption drive hasn't pleased everyone. Some people have absurdly claimed that it will undermine the economy by depressing domestic demand; expect a rehash of this twisted thinking in reaction to the new measure.