Chinese Authorities to Intensify Anti-Corruption Measures with Harsher Bribery Punishments

Chinese officials have announced that prosecutors will ramp up their crackdown on corruption, applying more severe punishments for those offering bribes and maintaining a strict approach toward officials caught accepting them. According to an official from China's top procuratorate, this move underscores the government's determination to break the cycle of corruption, with investigations into both offering and accepting bribes set to be deepened further.

Data from January to November 2024 indicates a significant increase in anti-bribery prosecutions, as 2,772 individuals were indicted on bribery offering charges—an increase of 20.2 percent compared to the previous year. This rise reflects the intensified focus on corruption, with authorities now pursuing cases against anyone involved in bribery, highlighting the broader national strategy to enforce stricter legal consequences.

The recent amendments to the Criminal Law, which came into force on March 1, are central to these efforts. The law now imposes heavier punishments on repeat offenders, those involved in bribing multiple individuals, and those seeking undue advantages such as job promotions. Additionally, the revised regulations target bribery within key sectors including supervisory, administrative, judicial departments, and critical fields like environment, finance, workplace safety, food and drug regulation, disaster relief, social insurance, education, and healthcare.

Efforts are also being directed at improving case-handling efficiency and strengthening cooperation with supervisory authorities and courts to expose offenders. The authorities are not only focusing on active bribery cases but are also intensifying their efforts to track fugitives and recover illicit gains, coupled with heightened measures against money laundering.

Between the start of last year and December 15, a notable number of corrupt officials who fled overseas have been apprehended, with several classified as fugitives by Interpol. During the first eleven months of 2024, prosecutions related to money laundering saw year-on-year increases of 39.4 percent in case approvals and 37.6 percent in prosecutions, reflecting the broader integration of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts.

Furthermore, more than 23,000 people have been indicted on duty-related crimes during the same period—a 33.9 percent increase compared to 2023. There has been a significant rise in corruption cases involving state-owned enterprises as well as sectors including finance, energy, and infrastructure. In addition, disciplinary investigations have been launched against 58 high-ranking officials, underscoring the comprehensive approach being taken by both the legal and party disciplinary bodies to root out corruption at all levels.