Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze in detail the characteristics of bribe-taking by provincial and ministerial or senior-levelofficials.

Methodology: In this paper, we analyze the data concerning all provincial and ministeriallevelofficialsconvicted of bribe-takingapart from armygenerals. We identify 110 cases between 1987 and the end of 2015, of which 76 cases involvedbriberyalone and the restalsoinvolvedother crimes.

Findings: The achievements of China’seconomicreforms and opening-up over the last 30 years are obvious to all, but they have encouragedsignificantproblems of corruption by senior party and governmentofficials. Between 1987 and 2015 the number of officialsconvicted of corruption grewsignificantly and, sentences became more severe. Since 1987, the amount of bribery has increasedsteadily, and the time span of corruption has increased. Corruptofficialsmostly use traditionalkinds of exchange of interests, and corruption in China has spread intoevery part of society. China still has a long way to go if it is to win the fightagainst corruption.

Keywords: China; Corruption; Power; Self interest