Anti-corruption storm must cleanse SOEs

THE CENTRAL COMMISSION for Discipline Inspection has released its report on investigations of eight State-owned enterprises directly controlled by the central authorities. The report reveals a rampant trade in power for money as well as the transfer of enormous interests to certain bureaucrats. Comments:

Anti-graft agencies have branches in central SOEs, but they lack strong support. In the enterprises mentioned in the CCDI report, the anti-graft branches were either denied access to key information or were party to the corruption. It is extremely urgent that supervision is strengthened to curb graft.

Liu Junhai, a professor of law at Renmin University of China, Feb 10

The fact that rampant corruption has been revealed shows the central leadership's firm determination to root it out. In order to eradicate corruption in central SOEs, the authorities need to continue applying pressure, and improve the regulations so that power in SOEs is also placed under supervision.

xinhuanet.com, Feb 10

The Party and the government have rules that prohibit senior officials' spouses, children and other family members from running business, but they have not been well enforced. When senior officials' family members are appointed high executives of central SOEs with monopoly power, it is extremely difficult to fight corruption because the officials will prevent any anti-graft probe. It is time to properly enforce the rules to better fight graft in central SOEs.

Wang Yukai, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Governance, Feb 8

The corruption of officials in central SOEs, which control huge amounts of resources, has long been heard of and this time the CCDI has shown an iron hand. Considering the rampancy of corruption, officials in these enterprises might very possibly have already formed interest chains even networks; the anti-graft authorities must be prepared for resistance from them. An anti-graft storm is coming - hope it can wash away the dirty things hidden in central SOEs.

Beijing Youth Daily, Feb 7