CPC's anti-graft unit to probe activities of retired officials

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2015-05-31

Ni Fake stands trial for receiving bribes while serving as the honorary chairman
 of a corporation after he retired, Dec. 15, 2014. Ni was sentenced to 17 years.
(File photo/Xinhua)

The Chinese government has ordered retired high-ranking officials to report on their titles and duties at corporations at which they hold posts to crack down on corruption among former officials, reports Duowei, a news outlet run by overseas Chinese.

This is one of the authority's latest anti-graft measures after several disgraced former political and military heavyweights have been investigated or sentenced for corruption.

Those subjected to the order include former officials at the level of deputy directors of party departments and above and former PLA officials at the rank of major general or above.

By keeping track of what former government or army officials are doing and what they get from what they do will offer a good reference for establishing policies curbing potential corrupt practices.

On May 27, Beijing's Economic Observer reported that many retired senior government officials often take on insubstantial titles, such as independent director or honorary chairperson, in social organizations and corporate think tanks and chambers of commerce.

While the government has regulated that former political and military leaders are only allowed to take on one title at a single corporation and it must be on a pro bono basis, it is common that the retirees are crowned with dozens of titles from various organizations, which seek to use the retirees' influence. In exchange, the retirees often receive incentives of some sorts.

The organizations have become a sort of "retirees' club," as former political heavyweights can financially benefit from their new titles through bribery and graft. A report in state-run China Youth Daily revealed last year that the China Council for the Promotion of Economy and Trade, a business corporation, made gains from pricey entrance tickets to an event they held in Hong Kong. The chairman He Jihai was the former deputy director of the Ministry of Commerce and the organization's executive chairman Yan Jiaming was formerly the deputy director of the government's chemical engineering department.

Ni Fake, former governor of Anhui province, received expensive jewelry as bribery during his term as the honorary chairperson of a jewelry association. Ni was sentenced to 17 years in jail in February. The state-owned Xinhua has blasted such practices saying that social organizations have become ATMs for certain former officials.

By regulating former officials' duties at corporations, the authorities aim to prevent ex-officials using their influence to financially benefit both the organizations and themselves, Hong Kong paper Ming Pao said in a report.

Duowei said that the government may soon announce laws to regulate government retirees working in social organizations. China's anti-graft policy is turning from busting disgraced officials to institutional measures and curbing the excesses of former officials, the report said.