What fanned the flames of opposition in 1989 was not so much the desire for democracy as outrage at official corruption. On this score, the party has not done so well. In recent months, many calling for the disclosure of officials’ assets have been arrested. . . . more than 18,000 officials fled between 1995 and 2008, taking with them $145 billion in assets. When even officials don’t have confidence in the country’s future, what will the common people think? And why is it that the vast majority of high rollers in casinos around the world come from China? And whose money are they gambling with? Unless the party can rule justly, it will be difficult for it to argue that it should rule at all.
— From Frank Ching’s June 3 article in the South China Morning Post, ‘Post June 4, the party has thrived, but so has corruption’ here.
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