兩棲干部 (liangqi ganbu): Amphibious officials

The Beijing local government has reportedly asked retired governmental officials to submit written annual reports about any positions they hold in social organizations and forbidding them from taking any payment or allowance from the organizations. Serving government officials above a certain level should resign their posts in social organizations unless they have approval from their superiors. Such requirements aim to clean up the so-called amphibious officials, who hold posts in social organizations and make money by taking advantage of their current or previous official status and connections with government departments.

Such "amphibious officials" are always involved in abuse of power. Enterprises and associations provide good financial rewards to retired officials in return for their access to power, and they even call them "governmental resources". Serving officials holding posts in social organizations can easily engage in rent-seeking and corruption.

"Amphibious officials" show the relationships between the government, market and society haven't been clearly straightened out, which has left loopholes for illegal practices. Closing these loopholes can effectively curtail the invisible circles of corruption among government officials and social organizations. It will also help further streamline the government.