Cleansing luxury havens

Other Views

While officials have generally restrained themselves under the high pressure of the anti-corruption campaign, many of them have tried to hide their corrupt activities deeper. A number of private clubs operating within public facilities, closed to the outside world, offer the best cover for them to carry on exchanging power for money. It is necessary to eliminate this kind of corruption, and we expect the authorities to strictly implement the regulations.

Xinhua Daily Telegraph, Oct 28

Some people argue that private clubs are commercial establishments and should not be the target of the anti-corruption drive. The new regulation is very clear about that. It says that only those that illegally obtain land and violate the norms for the use of historic buildings and parks should be investigated and, if found guilty, brought to book. Thus the new regulation emphasizes the necessity to impose the law.

Ecotourism magazine, via Sina micro blog

Several regulations prohibit officials from joining luxurious private clubs. But despite being quite effective, they still have loopholes which many officials have used to continue their nefarious activities. The latest regulation is aimed at plugging those loopholes and eliminating such disguised corruption from the roots.

Liu Jianwei, a professor of law at Peking University, Beijing News, Oct 28

Luxurious private clubs are so appealing to corrupt officials that they risk breaking rules to join them. A recent report on officials taking buses to attend parties in private clubs best proves that. The new regulation identifies the right targets of the anti-corruption campaign, and we expect them to be probed in reality, not on paper.

Xiamen Daily, Oct 28

Private clubs are not illegal because they put up "members only" boards. They may become illegal if they occupy public property like public parks and historical buildings against rules. Therefore, officials should dig deeper to find out who decided to illegally rent public facilities to private clubs.

Daily Sunshine, Oct 28