Credibility the key to graft crackdown

The expulsion of former Bank of China chief Wang Xuebing from the party on graft charges days before the opening of the crucial 16th party congress sends an important message, but it also underscores the difficulty of waging a credible campaign against corruption.

The Communist Party must be seen to be cracking down on sleaze and fraud in order to ease public discontent over rampant corruption. The move against Wang is especially well-timed, as private entrepreneurs are being allowed to join the party for the first time. In announcing Wang's expulsion, Xinhua also condemned his 'decadent' lifestyle, saying he abused his position by receiving expensive gifts and large bribes.

Wang, an alternate member of the Central Committee of the 15th party congress, is an easy target because his punishment has been widely expected since he came under investigation this year.

'The Wang Xuebing case has to come to a closure,' said Hu Shuli, managing editor of Caijing magazine, which has published investigative reports on several high-profile corruption scandals. 'It shows that such a large-scale corruption cannot escape public scrutiny and has to be dealt with.'

But the public is not easily satisfied by anti-corruption efforts, said one political scientist.

'The problem is the credibility gap as the public turns sceptical about the fall guy,' he said. 'People ask why Wang? Why not others?'