PLA's zero tolerance to corruption

Gu Junshan, a former deputy head of the General Logistics Department of the People's Liberation Army, has been charged with embezzlement, bribery, misuse of State funds and abuse of power by the military procuratorate, which shows the PLA's determination to eliminate graft, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

This is an army that has created many miraculous marvels, but at the same time undergone much hardship and pains. The PLA soldiers experienced countless hails of bullets and underwent a baptism of blood and fire to win the country's independence and people's liberation at the cost of their lives and blood. Therefore, even though the investigation into Gu's activities may reveal more evidence of crimes, Gu neither represents the PLA nor will his misdeeds tarnish the reputations of other soldiers. The names of our soldiers appear every year on the list of winners for moral role models or on the TV program Moving China, where their touching stories not only convey the hopes of the country, but also serve as the voice of our times.

Strength of character, a traditional virtue of our soldiers since the founding of the PLA, has passed down to today's young soldiers, which is proved by vivid facts, one after another. Those members of the post-1980 generation and the post-1990 generation, after becoming PLA soldiers, have assumed the mission and sacred responsibility of safeguarding our homeland and peace. These true heroes of our times have always had pride in the nation and the spirit of perseverance in their veins.

The PLA is the country's mighty pillar and guardian of the people and cannot fall into the hands of the corruption. Gu's case has sent the message that the PLA has zero tolerance of corruption, and that whoever breaches the law will be punished according to the law, which is the expectation and longing of all Chinese. Therefore, the public should cast an objective and fair look at the army, love it and give it the due respect it has always deserved.

Housing and administrative power

Property prices and speculative buying have surged in Baoding, a city in Hebei province, since the announcement last week that the city might take over some of Beijing's administrative responsibilities in the future. The rise in house prices shows how China's real estate market is heavily influenced by government plans, says an article in gmw.cn. Excerpts:

Housing prices rose about 10 percent last week in Baoding. The rise in demand is obviously good news for the local developers in Baoding. It is reported that 14 extra buses were needed at the weekend to pick up potential buyers from Beijing at Baoding Railway Station.

This is in stark contrast to the shrinking demand in most cities nowadays. Even in Beijing, the trading volume has fallen since the beginning of the year. It shows the close ties between government planning and the real estate market in China, which means the country's real estate market can be regarded as a policy market, as the intervention of administrative power can directly influence house prices and market performance.

To be more specific, for a real estate project in China, all of the land trading, commercial plans and public service support are all related to the power of the local authority.

Even if Baoding city takes over some of Beijing's administrative responsibilities in the future, the surge in demand may just be a bubble, as the plan is still a vague idea.

The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

(China Daily USA 04/03/2014 page12)