Corruption in China Today: Consequences for Governance, Human Rights, and Commercial Rule of Law

Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 209-208, Washington, DC 20510 | Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Transcript (PDF) (Text)

Corruption takes many forms in China, from corrupt officials at all levels using their public office for private gain and seizing land for development to corrupt state-owned enterprises gaming the system to their advantage. Corruption also continues to be among the root causes of rights abuses against Chinese citizens. Senior leaders acknowledge that corruption threatens the legitimacy of the Communist Party and contributes to citizen dissatisfaction, and President Xi Jinping has stated that fighting corruption is a high priority. But Chinese authorities continue to crack down on independent and citizen-led efforts to combat corruption. Panelists will discuss corruption among Chinese high-level officials and recent anti-corruption efforts, and explore corruption’s role in human rights violations. Panelists also will examine corruption linked to state-owned and other enterprises and explore the implications for commercial rule of law.

This roundtable was webcast live.

 

Panelists: 

Joseph Fewsmith, Professor of International Relations and Political Science, Boston University

Li Xiaorong, Independent Scholar

Andrew Wedeman, Professor, Department of Political Science, Georgia State University

Daniel Chow, Professor of International Law, Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law