China joins global anti-graft institute that trains people to avoid bribes
Chinese academic calls it a gesture to convince the public of their government's resolve
China has stepped up its war on graft by joining the International Anti-Corruption Academy, an Austria-based global institute that provides education and training to members on how to effectively combat bribery.
Both Hong Kong and Macau were included as part of China's agreement to join the organisation, which comprises 71 United Nations member states and three intergovernmental organisations.
The move - announced by government officials yesterday - comes just days after Apec leaders agreed to a proposal by Beijing to set up a network to share information on corruption and deny safe haven to officials implicated in graft cases.
"Beijing's growing interest in joining international anti-graft efforts is a gesture to convince the domestic and international public that China is no longer covering up corruption scandals and is actively fighting them," said Zhang Lifan, a Beijing-based political commentator.
According to Zhang, senior officials in China are aware of the public anger surrounding corrupt officialdom and are using international initiatives - like the Apec agreement and entry to the academy - to show that the party is listening.
"It's also a traditional propaganda strategy - turning bad news into good about how hard officials are trying to solve these problems," Zhang said.