Clean up the National People’s Congress, then give it a real role
Scandal over bought seats in China’s legislature a reminder that transparency is key to restoring confidence in nation’s highest organ of state power
The National People’s Congress is, constitutionally, China’s highest organ of state power. As the country’s parliament, it is a showcase for participation in a one-party system of government, though sometimes dismissed as a rubber stamp for decisions by Communist Party leaders. The reality can be less benign. Wealthy businessmen covet a seat in the NPC for the opportunity it offers to advance vested interest and network with counterparts and officials. In the case of a scandal in Liaoning (遼寧) province that has led to the mass dismissal of national lawmakers and most of the provincial congress, they secured election by bribing provincial deputies. This has sparked fears ahead of elections next year of similar practices elsewhere.
According to a mid-ranking source in Liaoning, aspirants for legislature seats may offer targeted electors red packets containing 500 to 5,000 yuan (HK$5,800) at special banquets, or give huge bribes of up to tens of millions of yuan to politically powerful “brokers”, such as the heads of regional legislatures. A money-back guarantee for big donors if they miss out on a seat says something about the extent to which perversion of the constitutional process has been institutionalised.