Chaz,
the following is an example of what is going on now. Unlike the US, China under Jiang and Zhu are reforming at break neck pace. While it may take years to break up ATT and probably a life time to break MSFT, this PLA cessation could literally happen in weeks. Such are the benefits of a totalitarian government with the will and desire to do something, much like Chicago under Daly.
Ramsey
Saturday July 25 1998
Army in probe for
overseas hoards
WILLY WO-LAP LAM
Army authorities are checking the "private piggy
banks" that various PLA enterprises are reported
to be maintaining abroad.
A military source in Beijing said yesterday
President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji had
ordered a full auditing of the finances of PLA
companies.
Before Mr Jiang's announcement of the cessation
of army businesses this week, special investigation
teams had already checked the accounts that the
PLA's commercial concerns maintain with big
domestic banks.
"The auditing in mainland banks has turned up
some irregularities, but the graft-busters think
more dubious deals [by PLA businesses] may have
been done overseas," the source said.
A diplomatic source said the Politburo Standing
Committee decided that the unbridled commercial
activities of PLA businesses had exacerbated
corruption and endangered national security.
Mr Jiang and Mr Zhu had staked their reputations
on the eradication of graft among the army, the
People's Armed Police and other security units.
The source added that the leadership had opted
for tough action after an ugly incident involving an
aide recently sent by Mr Zhu to investigate the
questionable activities of a PLA company.
"The head of the company, which had the backing
of generals in a military region, manhandled the
Zhu aide and even had him detained for a few
days," the source said.
"Zhu was so angry he called Jiang immediately and
the two made the decision to announce the ban on
PLA businesses."
It is understood that PLA-affiliated commercial
units will either be closed down or absorbed by
civilian departments at the central and local level.
Only the "legitimate" businesses of companies run
by the PLA's headquarters, such as arms sales and
procurement, will be retained.
Meanwhile, the heads of all PLA departments and
military regions are expected to voice support for
Mr Jiang in a ritual called biaotai, or the "airing
of views".
The national media yesterday quoted Mr Jiang's
protege and chief of staff General Fu Quanyou as
calling on "every unit and every cadre" to
implement Mr Jiang's new decree "without
conditions".
General Fu also ordered the formation of a special
work team to investigate smuggling in army ranks. |
