Following the execution of Zheng Xiaoyu, disgraced former head of the Food and Drug Administration and the arrest of Chen Liangyu, Shanghai’s former party secretary, the government is defending the use of the death penalty for financial crimes. From Reuters:
Execution for corruption is proportionate and accords with “China’s national condition,” a senior official said Thursday, as a disgraced former party chief from Shanghai, now confirmed to be behind bars, awaits trial.
The ruling Communist Party has vowed to root out corrupt officials before a key congress later this year to ensure that tainted members cannot rise any further. It has warned that the problem is so severe it may threaten the party’s rule. [Full text]