The Story of Li Qiang: The Boy That Cried Corruption
Days In Local Government
Li Qiang joined Communist Party in his early life, knowing fully that this was the only way to work his way up and become the president of China. Since the Communist Party is the only ruling party in China, and there is a tight connection between officials and the party, he had to make connections with the central committee of the party. To do so, he had to start from the bottom: the local level.
Since he studied Marxism and all other theories of the party while playing a role in the Communist Youth League of China, he was unlike those of many uneducated newcomers. Li was therefore liked by many of the superior officials, and was immediately offered a position as the deputy secretary of a small village. He knew that the officials would soon re-position him to a better position, and worked hard in the small village. Sure enough, the superior officials promoted Li as the deputy secretary of a small county. There, he took care of the county for five years.
Li Qiang knew that officials and civil services only receive decent salaries, barely enough to ensure they won't be lack of any goods. However, there were other ways of making money. In the five years, he saw many things: officials who use their power to illegally sell lands, gain business cases, and gain goods and luxuries. Li didn't like corruption, yet he could not do anything - he wouldn't want to stay in the stupid county for another five years.
Then, a thought came to his mind: "Why don't I use the nature of this country's politics for my advantage?"
Since he studied Marxism and all other theories of the party while playing a role in the Communist Youth League of China, he was unlike those of many uneducated newcomers. Li was therefore liked by many of the superior officials, and was immediately offered a position as the deputy secretary of a small village. He knew that the officials would soon re-position him to a better position, and worked hard in the small village. Sure enough, the superior officials promoted Li as the deputy secretary of a small county. There, he took care of the county for five years.
Li Qiang knew that officials and civil services only receive decent salaries, barely enough to ensure they won't be lack of any goods. However, there were other ways of making money. In the five years, he saw many things: officials who use their power to illegally sell lands, gain business cases, and gain goods and luxuries. Li didn't like corruption, yet he could not do anything - he wouldn't want to stay in the stupid county for another five years.
Then, a thought came to his mind: "Why don't I use the nature of this country's politics for my advantage?"
Days in Sub-national Government
Here was where everything boiled down to "GuanXi", or connections. Although he only had to serve seven years in the local government, which was relatively short with his lack of relationship with other officials, Li was not sure if he would be even able to reach the national level before he died. But he had his head up strong, and started his sub-national government role as the municipality of a district. To get to here, he had to pay his way up, bribing the member of Administrative Affairs Bodies and the organs directly under the State Council such as the Auditing office.
While looking for ways to get connection and move up into the state council, he found some of his rivals receiving money from a Deputy Secretary of a county. He seized the chance and reported them directly to the media. Although usually accepted inside the government, the rivals became the scapegoat and were fired. On the other hand, Li was invited to the State Council with the support from the public as the "man who fought against the ill norm".
He was left out at first, as he used the media to gain the seat in the State Council, but soon enough people saw his hardwork and tried to make connections with him. Li then met the Chairman of the Military commission of the CCCP, who was in close relationship with the members of the Standing Committee. Using media wisely, he was soon within reach into the national government. He knew he had to join the CPC and get a seat into the CPPCC to actually hold power, so he made a deal with a member of Standing Committee that if he comes up with a great plan for each regions under his management, he would be "recommended" for the CPC.
After drawing up a socio-economic development strategies of each regions, he was soon promoted to the CPC Central Committee.
Here was where everything boiled down to "GuanXi", or connections. Although he only had to serve seven years in the local government, which was relatively short with his lack of relationship with other officials, Li was not sure if he would be even able to reach the national level before he died. But he had his head up strong, and started his sub-national government role as the municipality of a district. To get to here, he had to pay his way up, bribing the member of Administrative Affairs Bodies and the organs directly under the State Council such as the Auditing office.
While looking for ways to get connection and move up into the state council, he found some of his rivals receiving money from a Deputy Secretary of a county. He seized the chance and reported them directly to the media. Although usually accepted inside the government, the rivals became the scapegoat and were fired. On the other hand, Li was invited to the State Council with the support from the public as the "man who fought against the ill norm".
He was left out at first, as he used the media to gain the seat in the State Council, but soon enough people saw his hardwork and tried to make connections with him. Li then met the Chairman of the Military commission of the CCCP, who was in close relationship with the members of the Standing Committee. Using media wisely, he was soon within reach into the national government. He knew he had to join the CPC and get a seat into the CPPCC to actually hold power, so he made a deal with a member of Standing Committee that if he comes up with a great plan for each regions under his management, he would be "recommended" for the CPC.
After drawing up a socio-economic development strategies of each regions, he was soon promoted to the CPC Central Committee.
Days in National Government
In the CPC Central Committee, Li Qiang was granted membership. He was then appointed as a member of the Politburo Standing Committee. A year later, he was elected as Vice President of the country. Finally, he was elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party and President of the country the year after.
He aligns himself with the Chinese Communist party. The CCP is the only party with power that can influence the government. Aligning myself with the CCP is the only way for me to get power. Moreover, the government policies strictly adhere to the CCP’s ideology. Therefore, being in the CCP secured my chances in obtaining power in the government.
To be elected, Li Qiang must be nominated and elected by the National People’s Congress. Most of the time, the president position is reserved for the General Secretary. A one-name system is implemented on the ballots used for voting.
There are three types of corruptions he sees in the system—black and white Black corruption includes bribery, smuggling, tax evasion and other economic crimes. White corruption characterizes those that are related to social life, for example, guanxi. Since the system lacks check and balances, these corruptions could be easily conducted.
Li Qiang has the power to nominate the premier. They usually work together to implement government policies: the Premier takes care of the technical problems of enforcing the government policy while Li obtains political supports for the policy.
He believes the Judiciary is very weak. He sees problems with not having judicial review. However, he is aware that this enables him to make more decisions without the risk of his proposals being blocked.
In the CPC Central Committee, Li Qiang was granted membership. He was then appointed as a member of the Politburo Standing Committee. A year later, he was elected as Vice President of the country. Finally, he was elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party and President of the country the year after.
He aligns himself with the Chinese Communist party. The CCP is the only party with power that can influence the government. Aligning myself with the CCP is the only way for me to get power. Moreover, the government policies strictly adhere to the CCP’s ideology. Therefore, being in the CCP secured my chances in obtaining power in the government.
To be elected, Li Qiang must be nominated and elected by the National People’s Congress. Most of the time, the president position is reserved for the General Secretary. A one-name system is implemented on the ballots used for voting.
There are three types of corruptions he sees in the system—black and white Black corruption includes bribery, smuggling, tax evasion and other economic crimes. White corruption characterizes those that are related to social life, for example, guanxi. Since the system lacks check and balances, these corruptions could be easily conducted.
Li Qiang has the power to nominate the premier. They usually work together to implement government policies: the Premier takes care of the technical problems of enforcing the government policy while Li obtains political supports for the policy.
He believes the Judiciary is very weak. He sees problems with not having judicial review. However, he is aware that this enables him to make more decisions without the risk of his proposals being blocked.
bibliography
http://www.ccyl.org.cn/ China Times(Taiwan)
http://news.163.com/09/0311/15/544QSFSH000120GR.htmlhttp://www.cuhk.edu.hk/gpa/wang_files/Corruption.pdf
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2233226/China-gets-new-leader-Xi-Jinping-takes-reins-worlds-second-largest-economy.html
http://gbtimes.com/china/chinas-parliament-2013-presidential-nomination-process-reaches-final-stagehttp://www.unescap.org/huset/lgstudy/country/china/china.html
http://www.chinatoday.com/city/china_municipalities.htm
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1345192/china-senior-official-tian-xueren-gets-life-prison-bribery
http://www.ccyl.org.cn/ China Times(Taiwan)
http://news.163.com/09/0311/15/544QSFSH000120GR.htmlhttp://www.cuhk.edu.hk/gpa/wang_files/Corruption.pdf
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2233226/China-gets-new-leader-Xi-Jinping-takes-reins-worlds-second-largest-economy.html
http://gbtimes.com/china/chinas-parliament-2013-presidential-nomination-process-reaches-final-stagehttp://www.unescap.org/huset/lgstudy/country/china/china.html
http://www.chinatoday.com/city/china_municipalities.htm
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1345192/china-senior-official-tian-xueren-gets-life-prison-bribery