China whacks corrupt Gov't official

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

From Reuters:

BEIJING (Reuters) - China executed a former drug and food safety chief on Tuesday for corruption in an unusually swift sentence which will serve as a warning amid a series of health scandals that have stained the "made in China" brand.

The Supreme People's Court approved the death sentence against Zheng Xiaoyu, 62, who was convicted of taking bribes worth some 6.5 million yuan ($850,000) from eight companies and dereliction of duty, Xinhua news agency said.

His execution marked the first time China has imposed a death sentence on an official of his rank since 2000.

"Zheng Xiaoyu's grave irresponsibility in pharmaceutical safety inspection and failure to conscientiously carry out his duties seriously damaged the interests of the state and people," Xinhua cited the high court as stating.

"The social impact has been utterly malign," the court said, adding that Zheng's confession and handing over of bribes were not enough to justify mercy.

And this is over a paltry $850,000. What cost for outing an undercover CIA op? How about a war with no end costing American taxpayers billions? What cost for using the Constitution as a snotrag? I never thought I'd say it, but it appears our government could learn a thing or two from China.

"Social impact has been utterly malign" sure sounds familiar.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. As severe as it sounds, it certainly has my attention.

I was having my doubts about China, but this does make me take notice and the impression it leaves is that they're going to move swiftly to put an end to any corrupt practices that might mire their reputation and destroy their ability to trade on a global level.

I would hope that A) the man gets a fair trial; and B) that you who think it's severe stop and think about what we would do if someone here in America was responsible for 94 deaths.

[malikstein]

2. I think the Chinese are on to something.

[rodeodance]

5. I am not a believer in the death penalty-----hard labor for the rest of his life for this trype.

[Alamom]

7. I could go for this, especially for elected officials who commit crimes and maybe a

little less harsh penalty for screwing up or not doing their job.

[malikstein]

10. How about health insurance CEOs

who offer bonusses to employees and doctors who find loopholes so that the patient doesn't get treatment or reimbursement. Hanging is too good for these criminals. They account for the deaths of 18,000 people every year.

[Thothmes]

15. Loop holes

Every loop hole exists because Federal and State regulations are a mere block of Swiss cheese before the battalions of lawyers employed by these companies.

[kurth]

3. He made China lose face, and he knew too much

[LeftishBrit]

4. I agree with that point...

any Chinese person, who causes China to get put in a negative light internationally, probably isn't long for this world.

This wasn't an admirable person, but I don't believe in the death penalty anywhere.

[Craftsman]

8. China does not care about food safety, they care about the bad press

An the fact that it hurt them in the pocketbook.

[Wilber_Stool]

6. Maybe we should

out source our trials to China.

[MGKrebs]

9. Turns out their usual execution method is to

shoot people in the back of the head.

[KKKarl is an idiot]

11. Zheng Xiaoyu

was working for the wrong government he should put on a a cowboy hat & said he was a conservative with an interest in corruption. The Bush administration would have hired him on those credentials alone.

[MaineDem]

12. "Whacks" ? n/t

[slampoet]

13. I've always said that if you cost the people more than a person can possibly earn in their life....

...then you should qualify for the Death Penalty or be given the option of never being able to earn money again in your life. All the Enron folks would qualify for this.

You would work but loose all your earnings. Never be allowed to have possessions. Receive food only when others give it to you. Shelter only in a shelter.

This would also keep the wives/husbands/children of corrupt officials from profiting. We all know Ken Lay's wife is living high on the hog.


How many Chinese people worked themselves to death over this 6.5 million yuan? it is implied that people are dead because of this person's corruption.



In fact Corporate Corruption and Political Corruption are the only circumstances where i support the death penalty. This has both.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

14. I don't think there would be anyone alive in the Bush administration

the White House would be kind of 'empty'