China: CCP’s “Corruption Hotline“ Overloaded but Fails to Impress

A Chinese website is inviting the public to report corrupt communist officials or organizations online. The Impeaching Center of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate began operating the website on October 28th.

According to the Guangzhou Daily newspaper, the website became so popular that users had difficulty accessing its pages just two days after it was launched.

But how effective will the website be?

Human rights lawyer Tang Jingling says Chinese officials need to do more than just collect information.

[Tang Jingling, Human Rights Lawyer]:
“The regime cannot simply collect information. It must treat the information seriously. For example, if a lead on a corruption case is provided, would it really be investigated? Will the results of investigations be presented to the public? Also, would the individuals under investigation be disciplined in a timely manner? So only when proper measures are taken, will it be meaningful. If it’s simply a window that’s sitting there, nothing more will come out it. In fact, this is a common problem in many reporting systems in China.”

Long-time petitioners are especially skeptical about the purpose of the anti-corruption website.

[Mr. Xue, Hubei Petitioner]:
“Because during its 60th Anniversary, the CCP sent a signal—that is, to place the highest importance on safeguarding the Party. It may intend to sacrifice a group—that is, of low or mid-ranked officials. It will certainly be a portion, a small portion, so that it can create an effect of warning others. Also, the CCP wants to use it as a way to coax public support.”

Mr. Xue also says corruption in China continues not from inadequate reporting channels but, from a lack of independent investigation mechanisms set in place to deal with corrupt officials.

(NTDTV)