In early January, a shocking corruption case related to students' meal fees shook the Chinese mainland. The China Media Group (CMG) aired the special anti-corruption documentary Anti-Corruption for the People, revealing the extent of the scandal.
From August 2010 to December 2019, Qi Shiguo, the logistics director of the Seventh Primary School in Changchun City, Jilin Province, colluded with the Jilin Golf Catering Management Company to embezzle public funds. They accepted kickbacks from students' meal fees, starting with 10 cents per eight-yuan meal fee and increasing to 30 cents when the fee rose to 12 yuan in 2014.
These small kickbacks accumulated to over 700,000 yuan in embezzled funds, with Qi personally receiving more than 230,000 yuan. 😱
Responding to public outrage, last year the National Commission of Supervision (NCS) initiated investigations into 38,000 cases of meal fund embezzlement, bidding interference, and kickback acceptance. This crackdown resulted in the punishment of 23,000 individuals.
Broader Anti-Corruption Efforts
The Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) have reported significant strides in combating corruption, particularly in sectors affecting people's everyday lives like healthcare, education, and employment.
In 2024, indictments in these critical areas surged by 1.6 times compared to the previous year. The NCS also targeted corruption in rural collective funds and the medical sector, recovering billions in misappropriated funds and reducing hospital costs. 🏥💸
High-profile cases include the sentencing of Li Tie, former head coach of the national men's football team, to 20 years in prison, and the investigation of Gou Zhongwen, former head of the General Administration of Sport.
The ongoing efforts demonstrate China's commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring public trust. ✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
