Companies make hay from educational presentations on fighting graft

Companies that create sophisticated, museum-like educational presentations in support of the government's anti-graft efforts have sprung up around the country, as the drive to punish corrupt officials has intensified since 2012.

In Beijing, there are 10 companies in the specialized trade, with more soon to join, according to Qin Xiaoyong, general manager of Xuehongji Culture and Media Co, one of the pioneers.

"The number is still expanding, as demand for such educational presentations from government and judicial entities, such as procurators, keeps growing," he said.

The companies are commissioned by the authorities - prosecutors, Party disciplinary authorities or other government entities - to make educational presentations to select groups detailing the cases of officials who have been investigated or punished for graft or explaining how graft occurs.

Typically, the authorities organize groups to listen to the anti-graft messages and see the related exhibits.

Qin said Xuehongji received about 20 orders in the past year and is seeing revenue growth.

Li Yingyu, president of Sanyueyu Culture and Communication Co, another industry pioneer, said his business is growing, but he is seeing more competitors.

"No competition existed when I started the business 12 years ago, but there's more pressure from competitors in recent years, as many companies are shifting to the business," he was quoted as saying by Beijing Youth Daily.

"I had to reach out to potential customers before, but now they come to us," Li said. "Last week, we helped create five or six anti-corruption education presentations."

An employee of Sanyueyu, who asked to be identified only by her surname, Wu, said one of her daily tasks is to look for materials for use in the exhibitions on officials who have been jailed for corruption.

Wu said the average cost is about 2,000 yuan ($320) to 3,000 yuan per square meter of exhibition space, but the price can go to 10 times that if special digital methods are used, including special film, projection on a floor or sound and light effects.

Wu said the team has cooperated with more than 500 government entities and companies across the country.

Orders included the building of an anti-graft education center, such as a prison or detention house environment, where visitors experience deprivation of freedom.

Jack Guo, an official in the fire department of Beijing's Haidian district, attended one of the anti-graft education exhibitions. He said he was very impressed by the effect it had on civil servants. But he also had reservations.

"It does have some warning effects to people, scaring them into more honest governance. But how long can it last before the next temptation?" he said.