Official Corruption During China’s Economic Transition: Historical Patterns, Characteristics, and Government Reactions

Using available information and data, this study examines the historical patterns and characteristics of official corruption in contemporary China. The study identifies four waves of official corruption associated with different stages of the nation’s economic reform. Each wave of corruption has different forms and targets. In our analysis, the general trend is that as the nation’s economic reforms move forward, official corruption in China is becoming more serious and pervasive with more money and higher ranked officials involved in corruption cases. This is raising a serious challenge to Chinese authorities who have shown a willingness and effort to control official corruption.We conclude that without fundamental political reform, official corruption is not likely to be controlled in China.