China’s anti-corruption net has risk-averse officials afraid to innovate

China’s leadership urged to introduce new incentives for local officials who are now playing it safe in the face of anti-graft measures

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Published: 6:00am, 17 Aug 2024Updated: 3:49pm, 17 Aug 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign, having claimed the scalps of millions of officials and entering its second decade with no signs of slowing, has been hailed by Beijing as achieving an “overwhelming victory” against corruption.

However, even though Beijing is making progress in ensuring loyalty and discipline from the country’s massive bureaucratic system, officials are becoming more risk averse, overworked and lacking any incentive to use their initiative in tackling tasks.

Or, in the language of the country’s Generation Z, they are more inclined to “lie flat”.

The problem became so acute that in 2021 Xi slammed officials for waiting for his directions to act, and asked rhetorically: “If I didn’t hand out instructions, would these officials do any work?”

In the Communist Party’s key conclave, the third plenum that concluded last month, leaders again sought to take aim at widespread sloth, which was summarised in a key resolution designed to inspire improvement.

“The problem of officials acting arbitrarily or lacking the willingness, courage or ability to deliver must be addressed … We will improve reform incentives and better guide public opinion … to foster a favourable environment for reform,” the resolution read.

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