New approaches to promotion

However, both these benefits are linked to the position, not the person, and the glory can turn into infamy if the position is lost. Therefore, the first priority of almost every Chinese official is to hold on to his job and, if possible, obtain a better one.

The fact that boosting GDP led to promotion, while corruption was rarely uncovered, prompted many top officials to press forward with large construction projects, helping to fuel the frenzy of city expansion and causing a number of forced demolition cases in the past few years.

However, now that officials realize this way of operating may threaten their security, it is natural for them to adopt a more conservative approach. After all, a leading position in government is what they cherish, so they cannot afford to gamble.

This change has happened since the new leadership took office and vowed to root out corruption.

However, the officials will not stand idle for long - when they find new, safe paths to promotion they will rush toward them.

By introducing a series of reforms, the leadership is trying to set up new promotion rules that are totally different from those of the past. The new rules, which stress the authority of the law, environmental protection and democracy in decision-making, are so innovative that many officials are either reluctant to accept them, or do not believe they will be effective for long. This is the main reason many are waiting instead of pressing on with development plans.

In order to encourage officials to be clean but not lazy, the leadership needs to provide clear indications about the future and instill confidence in the new rules.

In the past few years, the central leadership has emphasized a number of principles, such as green GDP, an approach centered on people, and the rule of law. It is time for the new leadership to fully implement these principles so that officials can pursue targets other than higher GDP.

The campaign against corruption must continue, and this will also help to change the attitudes of officials. A popular saying among public servants best explains their mindset, "Disciplinary storms never last more than a year."

Many officials are under the illusion that the anti-corruption campaign will end, and they will be able to resume their previous practice of benefiting illegally from the mad race for GDP growth.

The central leadership needs to break this illusion with an iron will.

The author is a professor at Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University.