Keeping power in check

In an online communication with netizens at the weekend, Premier Wen Jiabao said that excessive concentrations of power bred corruption, and that effective checks are needed.

The involvement of almost all leaders of a State-owned enterprise in a recent corruption case is perhaps the best illustration of Premier Wen's point.

The announcement of this case by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Management Commission of the State Council last week is a reminder that supervision of leaders of State-owned firms is still far from watertight.