Corruption: Tiger Flies with Spider

Two ladies rushed through the automatic till at the subway station on one ticket and no one in the crowd raised an eyebrow on the practice.  I do not know how they handled the exit at their destination, but there is an adrenaline rush from aberrant but tolerated behavior among the young who could afford the cost but get a high over getting away with putting one over authorities especially when performed in the midst of a crowd.

Australia, the United States, and Canada do not have any extradition treaty with China so the three countries have been the favored destination of China›s ill-gotten wealth, and in the last thirty years, with the willing collusion of western partners who were schooled to think that corruption is a way of life in China anyway, the exodus of funds and families has been noticeable.  It was easy to migrate if one had a hefty bank account to declare, and keeping the money legitimate did not constitute a problem.  Western banks strewn in many protective islands around the globe enable corrupt money to find residency in law-abiding countries, of course, cum good and expensive accountants. 

China just found a loophole. With Xi Jinping and the CPC Politburo›s current drive against corruption in existing high government offices and officials, China invokes passed UN resolutions that obligates partner nations to assist in bringing known fugitives to justice when called upon.  

In the case of Australia, the matter has been beneficial to local authorities as well since ill-gotten funds have a way of not going legitimate, so corrupt monies remain illicit in their new locations, and countries like Australia would rather that such practices be returned to their country of origin rather than find its way in to its own shady underworld.  China is in the process of applying the same on those who skipped town and headed over to Canada and the United States.  None of the three developed countries mentioned have extradition treaty with China. 

Deng Xiaoping used «tigers and flies» in his opening up and reform program that got Chinese businesses getting familiar with Adam Smith.  Deng meant that Tigers when tamed can benefit the economy and the flies can be swatted when they swarm.  Xi Jinping uses the terms to identify corrupt officials, tigers as the higher ups and flies as those in the lower echelons.  Xi intends to eliminate both.  One military «tiger» got caught hoarding a ton of foreign currencies in his basement. 

«Spider» is a media term used on a former leader who has difficulty relinquishing a leadership role and function by continuing influence either through surrogates and subordinates.  Jiang Zemin at 88 fits this category. 

Currying for favors was not invented yesterday, and «kowtow» is a habitual local practice.  So what passes for corruption in one place can easily become a sign of gratitude and kind consideration in another.  E.g., where I live is relatively a new town, a satellite city of Shenyang in the current method of Chinese urban expansion by creating new hubs next to existing centers.  At a family gathering, someone who worked in government happened to mention intentions to create a University town and a kin quietly takes the information to heart and bought up farmlands where he constructed new buildings for business and residences. 

Ten years later, the relative handed over red envelopes to family members.  His 30-story high-rises and apartments had made him oodles of renminbi.  He wanted to share «good fortune» with members of his family.  The government official remained a faithful and austere employee, barely making mortgage and car payments, worried about his son›s expensive private schooling.  So the envelope came as a timely and welcomed reprieve.

 Was corruption involved in the deal?  Technically, yes.  Practically, no.  I know that in the late ‘60s, NYC waste disposal contracts had my White Plains in-laws in a cozy corner on signings, but with clear implications on campaign contributions election time.  Was corruption involved?  Technically, yes.  Practically, no.

We all know of the number of drivers licenses issued Chinese nationals in the CNMI, the cost involved not on the published rates but on the understanding of gratuity for services rendered.  The applicants thereby sidestepped the rules, a practice familiar to many who grew up in Asia.  Many business folks went to EDZA when it was no longer bearable to pay 35 percent of one›s cost, and one was only getting out of the maze in Malacañang. 

In Brazil of the ‘80s, law offices served the function of facilitating papers through the official channels at an extra 10 percent of cost.  Indonesia almost had a revolution when Mrs. Fifteen percent went beyond the traditional 10 percent of grease money; ditto, Malaysia.  China is trying to overcome all that! 

That may no longer be as widespread in Saipan as it once was.  Bribes are no longer proffered nor requested.  «What for?» a wit mused.  «We issue vouchers!»