Daily Lessons from Life 12 June 2009

"China names replacement for sacked Shenzhen mayor: report
The government and party have refused to provide details of Xu's case or his alleged wrongdoings. -Fri, Jun 12, 2009 AFP

BEIJING - A top official from eastern China was named Friday to replace the mayor of Shenzhen, who was sacked amid allegations of corruption, state media said.


Wang Rong was nominated by the ruling Communist Party to take over the running of the thriving southern city, which borders Hong Kong, a day after Shenzhen's mayor Xu Zongheng was fired, Xinhua news agency said.

Xu's sacking followed state media reports that he had been placed under investigation this week for "serious disciplinary violations," an allegation that often leads to criminal corruption charges.

Wang, 51, was transferred from his post as the top Communist Party boss of Suzhou city in eastern China's Jiangsu province, Xinhua said.


The government and party have refused to provide details of Xu's case or his alleged wrongdoings. But Hong Kong and mainland Chinese news reports have claimed he is being probed for links to Huang Guangyu, China's second richest man. Huang was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of financial crimes, including manipulating the stock market.

Huang's arrest led to investigations of Chen Shaoji, the chairman of a political advisory body in Guangdong, and Wang Huayuan, the head of the disciplinary department in eastern Zhejiang province, state press said earlier.


According to the China Daily, Xu was also being investigated for alleged bribes he paid to Chen in an effort to ensure his promotion. Chinese media reports have said he is suspected of accepting bribes and kickbacks in assorted land deals in Shenzhen, one of China's most prosperous cities."

Another one bite the dust? Prosperity creates opportunities for being bribed. When one has the chance to make some fast money without doing very much, it is tempting. There will be fear of being found out but this normally gave way to 'maybe I will not be unlucky!'.

Lessons for me are:

1. China has grown and is continuing to grow rapidly, relative to any other economies in the world, over the last few decades. A lot of money and wealth were created. Fast money is accepted. Quite a few able and intelligent men and women fell preys to the temptation of the fast money and were found out and some were put to death. Yet, many Chinese told me it will happen again and again as money has an unique power to corrupt!;

2. To be tempted is naturally when you get fast money in a few minutes that your could possibly amassed in a lifetime. The line of defence is fear of the serious penalties when the corrupted were found out. However, that is not the final line of defence. The final line of defence is Personal Integrity and clear sense of purpose of 'why you want to be a leader?'. It is to make the life of many ordinary people better and not to enrich your own pockets!! If this basic line is not held, you will tempt fate! You will try lines like: 'I will not be so lucky as to be found out!' or 'Everyone is doing it so why shouldn't I?'. These are mere excuses. They will not save your neck when you are found out!;

3. Many people will continue to try to bribe anyone in position of power who can sway significant decision that involved big money. They will try the direct route and if it does not work they will try to indirect route e.g. through the family members or relatives or friends of the powerful! So, the powerful must make it very clear to these loved and dear ones that NO ONE should harbour the illusion that you are about do 'do business' with anyone else in a 'special manner'! For those who love the powerful ones, they should not subject them to such temptations too. The flash is willing but the mind is weak!!

May China continue to get rid of corrupt officials every time they find, or decided to find, some! It maybe a charade but it is better than not taking some of the corrupt ones off the apply cart!