Healthy China must avoid stink of corruption

• Source: Global Times
• [03:59 November 20 2009]
• Comments

But China's reform has arrived at a critical juncture now. With the fruits of China's economic success jeopardized, government credibility eroded and social stability undermined, there are more incalculable direct and indirect social costs in corruption than Chinese society, in transition, can afford.

A clean, corruption- free environment can indeed fuel faster economic growth by boosting integrity in government and the private sector and delivering social justice and increased efficiency.

That explains why New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden and Singapore, the top countries in the TI ranking, also boast per-capita-GDPs that rank in the top 30 in the world. Studies even indicate that should the TI ranking of Bangladesh, the world's eighth most corrupt country, reach the same level as Singapore's, its GDP would rise 1.8 percent each year.

The case is the same for China: Less corruption would boost the per-capita GDP.

With several high-profile corruption cases uncovered in recent years and those involved prosecuted, a clear message has been sent by the Chinese government: There is zero tolerance for corruption.

Further systematic efforts made by the government – such as the enactment of more than 1,200 laws, rules and directives against corruption, the establishment of the National Bureau of Corruption Prevention in 2007, and last month's extension of the crack down with the newly defined crime of "taking bribes by making use of one's influence" – deserve to be commended for the encouraging resolve these measures show. However, implementation is the litmus test.

Combating corruption is never an easy task for any society. On China's road to sustainable prosperity, further advances will be frustrated unless corruption is effectively curbed.

This is a war that must be won.