Subordinates can play key role to prevent power abuses

Zhu Jiachen, former secretary of the Party commission for discipline inspection in Zhoukou city, Central China's Henan province, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison and deprived of his political rights for five years, on charges of taking bribes and embezzling public funds. He reportedly obtained illicit wealth worth over six million yuan ($939,628) during his seven-year tenure, at least four million of which were claimed as reimbursements for expenses using fake receipts. Comments:

Zhu's seemingly absurd embezzlement of public funds shows that on the one hand, many local financial authorities are already used to turning a blind eye to such violations of the law and Party discipline, emboldening some corrupt officials to commit bigger crimes. On the other, it also exposes the long absence of supervision and regulatory scrutiny in some local governments.

Xinhua Daily, Aug 17