Ravenous corruption starts small

Liu Tienan is the first senior official to have fallen because his corruption clues were reported through a micro blog; during investigations about his corruption, the authorities also actively interacted with ordinary citizens online. Several cases have since followed the same mode and they have sent a positive signal that the top leadership welcomes public participation in fighting graft.

jcrb.com, Dec 10

Reports show that 97 percent of Liu Tienan 's bribes were taken through his son, who became involved when he was 21 years old. Now his son is under investigation, too, and might very possibly face trial. Liu loves his son, but his spoiling love brought them both to court and that should be a lesson for all officials.

The Mirror, Dec 10

With the judge announcing the verdict, Liu, a former vice-minister, is now a criminal - he was reported to have cried several times during his trial. Liu started taking bribes in 2002 and his first sum was 20,000 yuan ($3,230); his appetite grew in the years that followed and the court found he took 35.58 million yuan in all. All corruption starts with minor cases, please stop before it grows out of control!

CCTV News, Dec 10

As a scholar I oppose the death penalty, but until it is abolished, I advocate capital punishment be used equally on all criminals who receive the death sentence. The problem is, in our legal practice it seems corrupt officials are always immune to the death penalty, which still applies to other criminals; this is unequal and will only arouse people's anger against officials.

Yang Xiong, a lecturer on criminal law studies at Beijing Normal University, via Sina micro blog

Corrupt officials are not so well-hidden and clues about Liu's corruption were widespread online before it was announced he was under investigation. It is absurd that officials at the National Energy Administration that Liu served defended him and openly threatened reporters; they were endorsing corrupt officials with State credit and should be held responsible for their wrong deeds.

Sheepherd Coolboy, via Sina micro blog