The State Development and Reform Commission, sometimes referred
to as the country's mini-Cabinet, has implemented a ban on visitors
with Spring Festival gifts from entering its office buildings.
The measure, aimed at preventing its staff from taking bribes
during the festival, was announced by the commission's General
Office three weeks ago and is drawing national attention -- and
some criticism.
"Anyone with a suitcase or a bag of unusual size will be checked
by guards at the gate of the office compound," an entrance guard
said. "An electronic system has also been installed across the
compound to monitor violators."
Some visitors have tried to get round the ban by asking to leave
gifts at the gate for staff to pick up later, said the guard, but
this is not allowed either
Sociology Professor Xia Xueluan at Peking University
praised the move as "an example for other government bodies" in
fighting corruption and building a clean government.
The day after news on the ban first ran more than 300 people
posted comments on the online forums of Xinhua News Agency and the
People's Daily.
Many just don't think the measure will have any real effect.
"What if the visitor writes a large check, or simply goes to the
official's home with his 'gifts'?" said one surfer with the name
'Heart of Justice.'
Zhang Hongqing, of the People's Daily, said it is more
important for the Party and government to install a comprehensive
legal framework to prevent and punish official corruption.
"A rigorous anti-graft mechanism could serve as a ubiquitous
'gift ban' for officials, which will help them practice
self-discipline even without entrance guard checks," he said.
It is traditional for people to give presents or money to family
members and close friends during Spring Festival. But such gifts
turn into bribes if they are handed to government departments or
civil servants, Xia said.
Due to frequent sightings of visitors with gifts entering
government office buildings in recent years, the Central Committee
of the Communist Party of China and the State Council have
repeatedly banned the practice.
According to media reports, of all the officials convicted of
corruption, 31 percent had taken bribes during the annual Spring
Festival period.
(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2005)