No promotion not an excuse for officials to pursue illegal gains

BIAN FEI, THE FORMER PARTY CHIEF of Daming county in North China's Hebei province, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve this week. Regarded as a competent official, he failed to be promoted over the years and claimed that is why he sought illegal gains. He was found guilty of taking bribes worth more than 59 million yuan ($9.5 million) and causing the loss of nearly 7.7 million yuan to the country. Comments:

Bian's constant obsession with promotion was because of his false belief that higher administrative rankings are the only way to success. Of course, he is not alone in this belief. Therefore, apart from putting public power in a cage and fighting corruption, the ongoing reform of Chinese officialdom needs to educate all officials about the true nature of their job.

Beijing Youth Daily, Aug 4