Anti-corruption law should have teeth

At the annual sessions of the National People's Congress, or China's top legislature, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, its top advisory body, lawmakers said China should accelerate the drafting of national legislation on fighting corruption, because such legislation is critical to establishing the rule of law.

The ruling Communist Party of China, government and judicial authorities have indeed launched an effective multi-layer anti-corruption drive. But the country still has to put all the anti-corruption rules and regulations into one specific piece of law.

Corruption is a major problem across the world, and many countries and regions have made its eradication one of their main missions. Corruption can generally be eradicated through legislation, which is then strictly enforced by the judiciary. In some countries, irrespective of the amount involved, embezzlers and bribe-takers receive strict punishments, including "economic penalties" like fines, confiscation of properties and denial of pensions. Such measures, experts say, are aimed at deterring potential offenders.