The Communist Party of China Central Discipline Inspection Commission's review of its work in the past year showcased conspicuous achievements. It also showed us the clear and present danger commercial bribery poses.

    Singling out commercial bribery in itself reveals the authorities' awareness of its threat to society. But its damaging potentials are far beyond what we generally believe.

    Long before commercial bribery became a focus of the anti-corruption campaign, the country's Law Against Unfair Competition explicitly declared it illegal.

    Article 8 of the 1993 law prohibits business operators from offering money or goods in selling or purchasing commodities. Under the law, those who offer secret rebates are considered guilty of offering bribes; and those who accept them will be punished for taking bribes.

    But the law has not prevented people from offering or taking bribes. Instead, such illicit dealings are so rampant that some even consider bribes an indispensable lubricant in dealing with public officials.

    One may have heard about the so-called tacit rule between officials and private business operators as well as private business owners' love-hate relationship with corrupt officials.

    Although business activities are increasingly less subject to the hassle of administrative approvals, local officials retain considerable say in the disposal of public resources.

    Just because there are bribe-seeking officials, lawless business people can pay their way to whatever they want. In order to avoid being left out, even law-abiding business people have to accept such unwritten rules.

    The disgraced previous chief of the State Food and Drug Administration illustrates how profitable one's powers can become.

    Commercial bribery disturbs market order, tarnishes the credibility of administrative authorities, and ultimately poisons social morale.

    It is a clear and present danger that must be eliminated.

    (Source: China Daily)