Smug lauding of double standard on anti-graft

To mark International Anti-Corruption Day on Dec 9, the Joe Biden administration last month released A Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons Enabling Corruption, a fact sheet on US Leadership in the Fight Against Global Corruption, as well as a statement Promoting Accountability for Corruption Globally.

Washington has issued many such documents over the past 20 years praising the United States' zero-tolerance to global corruption and its commitment to promoting governance transparency and justice.

But no matter how the US tries to portray itself a leader in the fight against global corruption, it cannot cover up the fact that it has been a haven for those engaged in corruption around the world.

As the United Nations has stressed, corruption has negative impacts on every aspect of society and is profoundly intertwined with conflict and instability, jeopardizing social and economic development and undermining democratic institutions and the rule of law and thus should be dealt with through concerted international efforts that prioritize professionalism, justice and neutrality.

However, the US binds "national security" and "value diplomacy" with its work with other countries to hunt down those wanted for corruption that have fled to the US or elsewhere in the world. Taking advantage of the global anti-corruption cooperation, the US practices its customary "long-arm jurisdiction" to interfere in other countries' judicial work and internal affairs, and maximize the US' "national interests" at the expense of violating international laws.

If the US government thinks those engaged in corruption fleeing to the US can promote US interests, they will be given safe haven. That explains why most corrupt officials from other countries regard the US as their first choice when planning their escape. The vast majority of foreign corrupt individuals and their immediate family members can even obtain permanent residence through various means, and even US citizenship.

Even if the US government agrees to hand over a small number of these people to their home countries, it often takes the lion's share of the illegal money the corrupt individuals have transferred to the US before turning them over.

The double standard of the US on the global anti-corruption cooperation is clear.