From the Times of India:
For years, major changes in the Communist Party of China have preceded a war on corruption. Anti-corruption drives have been used to smash or weaken political rivals. The CPC today unveiled a new drive that is appears set cause serious tremors in Chinese business and politics at the same time.
The latest ethics code has a 52-point check list, which would make it extremely difficult for vast numbers of party officials to prove themselves to be totally untainted. Two potent diktats: party members connected to business enterprises and real estate deals will be punished.
“This is a sign of inner party struggle. It is closely related to the succession issue in the Communist Party leadership. This is also an attempt to curb the growing influence of money power in the party set up,” Srikanth Kondapalli, professor of Chinese studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, told TNN.
“The action shows Chinese president Hu Jintao is finally in full control of the party. There is going to be a scramble among party members to prove their loyalty,” a senior diplomat with a western country said on condition of anonymity.
