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Subscribe to RSS feedBEIJING – The revealing of a diary allegedly written by a local tobacco official detailing bribes he received, boozy meals with other officials and numerous extra-marital sexual liaisons is just the latest example of apparent government corruption outraging China's 'Netizens.
It is unclear if the journal entries actually were written by Han Feng, a director at the Tobacco Monopoly Bureau in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. But when the story quickly went national after excerpts from the alleged journal were posted online, Han was suspended from his job on Feb. 22, pending an investigation.
The scandalous tale of government corruption and lechery – the diaries are a litany of bribery and sexual encounters between Han and a number of mistresses and subordinates – couldn't come at a more embarrassing time for China's central government. Just ahead is the Communist Party's annual nine-day meeting of the National People's Congress when nearly 3,000 delegates elected by China's provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and armed forces descend on Beijing to partake in the legislative meeting.
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| China Daily via Reuters |
| China's Premier Wen Jiabao adjusts his glasses as he delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5. |
The National People's Congress is considered to be little more than a symbolic rubber stamp for decisions already made by China's Communist Party, but it is also considered to be an opportunity for China's leaders to show they are in touch with the concerns of regular citizens.
Premier Wen Jiabao told delegates that the government would intensify its fight against corruption at the opening session of the party's annual meeting in Beijing last Friday. But, if there is any truth to Han's alleged journal, the government clearly has a long way to go in order to satisfy China's newly empowered – and angry – netizens.
Last year 'smoothest ever'
Han's alleged journal excerpts, posted on China's popular Tianya forum by someone claiming to be the husband of one of his mistresses, cover five months in Han's life from September 2007 to January 2008 in startling frankness. (Warning the excerpts include explicit language and sexual themes).
A typical entry reveals a man who wrote matter-of-factly about long government-financed lunches, heavy drinking, unauthorized travel and a regular stream of cash and electronic gifts from local businessmen seeking greater influence with him:
"September 16 Sunday (24-31? sunny) Sha [his wife] went shopping in the morning. Wang Shucheng took the two of us out for lunch at the Guijing Hotel. He gave me two bottles of maotai [famous brand of expensive local wine] and 50,000 yuan [$7,322] in cash. I put 30,000 yuan [$4,393] in the bank and took the other 20,000 yuan [$2,928] home."
Similarly, Han's rise through the ranks of the local tobacco bureau coincided with a flurry of new sexual partners and mistresses. In his end of the year journal entry on Dec. 31, 2007, Han noted his success, but also his concerns about the new female attention:
"I finally got some women. I hooked up with Xiao Pan. I have fun with Tan Xianfang regularly. I also have fun with Mo Yaodai. I have luck with women this year. But when there are too many women, I have to watch my body health."
Still, he concludes: "The year 2007 is over. This is the year in which my work has gone the smoothest ever."
Online outrage seethes
The response to Han's journal postings among China's 'Netizens was instant and intense.
"Is this the normal state of our national cadres?" questioned one blogger on Tianya, to which another responded, "Officialdom is very yellow [perverted], very black [illicit], this is probably the tip of the iceberg."
"We should recommend this to become one of major issues submitted to the National People's Congress to discuss!" exclaimed another irate 'Netizen.
Despite the allegations and criticism against him, Han is fighting back. Last week he approached local police alleging that his privacy had been violated and requested assistance in tracking down the perpetrators behind the theft of his journal, which he claims was heavily distorted in order to smear him.
Hearing the clamoring
Whatever their sentiments, reaction to Han's story is just another example of the increasing influence 'Netizens wield in shaping public discourse.
Perhaps bending to this increased strength and anger, last month Premier Wen Jiabao hosted his second Web chat. The premier responded to over 20 questions during the two-hour session, which touched on a number of sensitive subjects, including corruption.
"The Chinese people attached so much importance to the anti-corruption cause when we are coping with the financial meltdown, and why?" asked Wen. "Because in my opinion, economic development, social justice and a clean government are the three pillars of social stability."
In addition, Wen introduced a new proposal that has gained momentum as the National People's Congress comes to a close: the mandatory disclosure of financial assets by government officials.
Wen's proposal was warmly welcomed on another popular government-sanctioned platform, the People Daily's "e-Congress," an online forum created by the official newspaper of the Communist party, where 'Netizens can maintain a real-time discussion – within guidelines – on issues discussed during the congress.
A score of questions and an online forum may not sound like much, but compared to the level of discourse at the National People's Congress, it's a start.
How many questions were the 2,987 delegates to the National People's Congress allowed to ask Wen after his two hour speech on China's next Five Year Plan afforded? A round zero.
I dealt with China Tobacco. Corrupt to the frgging bone. Let me qualify that comment: When you're out in the distant regions (think townships and counties) the Communist officials are fine men and women. Seriously... they give a damn about the local populace, and the locals like them. As you work your way up the chain of command, it becomes more of an adventure. The Province HQ (think state government) heads tend to be petty and corrupt, but they are amateurs compared to the bureacratic mess in Beijing. Any of those monolithic Chinese agencies (including China Tobacco) are run by crooks. Here ae your questions as a practical business man:
1) Who do I really need to bribe? They all have their hands out, so it isn't easily discernable.
2) Will my bribe even work if it's to the right people? It isn't just the fear of getting caught... you don't know if the corrupt official who took your bribe is getting 100 times as much money annually from a bigger international tobacco company (I won't use names, but think red box for example).
3. Can I present myself as someone who can press home for enforcement of my bribe? Smiles, dinner, drinks, night life are one thing. Are you in a position where they somehow feel compelled to do what you want?
You NEVER ask "Do I need to bribe?". If you're asking that question, pack your bags and head home. You're out of your element.
By the way, maotai does not mean expensive or famous wine. It's just a generic name given to a type of perfumed Chinese rice spirit (quite unlike sake). That's like saying "table red wine is a very famous and expensive drink".
Wow we must have sent some of our Bozo politicians to China! Not much differance world wide
Tip of the iceberg it is. I am an American citizen living in China and corruption is not limited to officials. It is common amoung a great deal of people in China. "A blind eye" is turned frequently in many things and the locals know that corruption is rampant on all levels not just the highly visible public officials. With the quick growth China is experiencing many are trying to "cash in" wherever they can.
Someone I know has a friend in LA who was approached by the Chinese to do deals providing them with large quantities of raw materials of various types. The money involved would have been huge.
They put one deal together and somehow the Chinese insisted that Marc Rich, Bill and Hillary's nefarious friend be put in the mix to handle the exchange of payment. Rich was the guy that Bill pardoned on his last day in the White House even though he had not been indicted yet. Rich was also a contributor to Bill's presidential library. Rich and his company by the way will not deal in any US currency when doing a deal in case the Justice Department can in any way grab it.
The LA guy provided the first shipment, his payment was never received and no other deals were ever done. He was also out the cost for that first shipment.
Seems like the Chinese Government is totally corrupt and an international con game.
Malcom Bricklin said as much about his dealings with them involving the importing of Chinese cars here to the States.
Oh so our government and the Chinese government are not so different after all.
Unfortunately, corruption in China isn't limited to business. When I caught the Assistant Headmaster - an American, Donald Holder - of my school cheating, the Headmaster turned a blind eye. Until I built a website detailing the cheating. Until I contacted the best American universities and let them know.
Of course, as the whistle-blower, I got screwed. Nevertheless, I don't regret doing what what I had to do.
The real pity is, the students suffered needlessly. They were/are plenty bright enough to have gained admission without cheating.
My school was Shenzhen Zhong Xue. The website I built detailing the corruption is: http://www.wix.com/concernedcitizen/standing-up
Oh, I almost forgot, the Headmaster is being rewarded with a promotion to Beijing. Beyond sad.
You NEVER ask "Do I need to bribe?". If you're asking that question, pack your bags and head home.
With an empty wallet.
corruption is rampant every where, ever been to Mexico, or check out the history of bribes and government officals arrested for being on the take in such cities as Camden NJ or Philadelphia, PA (or DC for that matter) ....difference between Mexico, USA and China is thieves are less professional over there (take such low amounts), in the past so many China officials we're on the take they had to institue new laws, USA officials have been on the take for so many decades they learn how to be more stealthy and take larger amounts, working in groups to feed each other government contracts and kick-backs. Hell in Mexico they'll kidnap a victim for ransom, often it is the police subsidizing their income, they have thousands a year (not many are aware of Mexicos corruption).
Point being, it is easy to bash the Chinese, they are just becoming more exposed to the world, but bear in mind this country has risen in economic power rapidly, their old ways of doing business are slowly changing.
Chinese officials bad deeds pale by comparison to the Chinese hookers and scam artist on the streets of Shanghai who steal far more from unsuspecting tourist then any China official on the take. That is a far more dangerous situ for everyday visitors. Be very careful when traveling the world, gipsies are always watching for the wobbly ducks to take advantage, some lead to death...it is a danferous world we live in.
The Chinese have it all wrong. Take a page from US Politicians and simply legalize bribery. Poltical action committees pay off congressmen in the US. To think that the Red Box doesn't pay off US politicians is naive.
If the country has only one party, it is easily to bribe because your party member will coverup for you as well as you coverup for them, there's no other rival party will reveal what you did.
How many party does China has? We America has (D) and (R) they poke each other if one did something wrong.
Our Government is run on bribery, we just call the lobbyist. Law makers receive free, trips, boozy dinners, and receive money from the lobbyist. Let's not discuss the sex and lies that go on. So what is different between us and them.
Hell in Mexico they'll kidnap a victim for ransom, often it is the police subsidizing their income, they have thousands a year (not many are aware of Mexicos corruption).
are you implying that the police has no knowledge of these crimes? Because a lot of times it is the POLICE committing these crimes. I saw with my own eyes, a Mexican police car drive up and shoot some random men on a street corner dead-then drive off-the men in the car were uniformed. I have no doubt of what I saw.
Corruption is a matter of the heart. It is pure greed. The love of money is the root of all evil. It leads to sexual immorality and debauchery as in this case. This exist in all countries everywhere. It is just disguised better in some countries because they usually kill off the people who will blow the whistle on them.But people who are honest need not fear about standing alone and blowing the whistle, it is better to do that than turn your back on things that are wrong. When you do that it breeds only more corruption and that just destroys the institution and it's credibility.
Lived and worked in China for many years. When I would visit new factories to see about having products for the company that I was working for produced there, they would always ask me what percentage of a "fee" for me that they should calculate into the pricing. If I had not been honest, I could have made a bundle.
So, let's go back twenty months. Does winning 50 plus gold medals, and having one gymnast falling on her butt grabbing the silver, make more sense? We were there.
My wife is from Shanghai. We enjoyed the time we returned to Shanghai to live and work for Bayer of aspirin fame. But I became numb from the corruption, which also took place at Bayer. It made my time working construction in the Middle East almost palatable by comparison.
Don't worry America, while China is making great strides forward, Catching up won't occur in the forseeable future.
Don't get me started on quality control and safety.
When a Chinese businessman tells you "Trust me I will take care of it!" Check for your wallet. There is a 75% chance that he just stole your wallet.
In many cases, it is just better that you do not know what goes on behind the curtain.
And never ever tour Shenzhen alone. Take a body guard.
Why shouldn't he? His counter parts in the West do it all the time!
THEY sound like our shills.
Bribery US style: Political contributions! Mega bucks lobbyists! Of course - it's all legal!
And THEY got the stones to say WE'RE the bad influence??????
WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP...............
Are you sure that guy isn't from Chicago??????
I did some work in China and lived there for a few months. It did not take me long to realize that this is part of the Chinese culture. Just look at their literature - stories where they honor the thief.
Our Chinese partner wanted money to "facilitate"... whomever and probably themselves.
Why not take all you can get? Situational ethics, etc. What's your basis for condemning a little greed and corruption?
absolutely terrible! This article is an outrage! Such horrible practices concerning such an honorable profession: cigarette sales and distribution!
and Marco Polo (wasn't your name-sake there for higher purposes?) I'm very surprised that you got the Maotai analogy wrong. It's not a 'generic name' such as red wine, it is a specific company product (of dangerously hard liquor).
I work in China now. I have have been there over an eight and a half year period 67 times. The culture is reflected in the "gifts" given (our word-bribe) in every area of life. It comes in the vendors and sourcing of supplies, it comes in the school system with the treatment of teachers, it happens in every area of government I have experienced. The attitude is "what are you going to give to me" about everything. When your "gods" are money and power, the behavior is altered to honor those things. The difference between the U.S. and China in those areas is the blatant primitiveness of the Chinese attitude and the reserved subtilty of the Americans. We have differences however, in what we do to help those around us in need. Our culture is more likely to help a needy person because of the Christian influence we have experienced in our cultural make up, while the Chinese generally are culturally limited to helping only family members and the very closest of friends.