China is finally trying to clean up it's act.
By speakeasy
@speakeasy (4171)
United States
May 30, 2007 11:30am CST
I am sure you all remember the problems with pet food being contaminated with melamine imported from China in wheat gluten and you may also remember the anitfreeze components that were exported from China as "glycerine" and used in both cough syrup an toothpaste.
These recent problems are just the lastest tip of a very severe problem that has been going on for years in China. The head of the Chinese FDA from 1999 - 2005 has just been sentenced to death for bribery and corruption. More high ranking officials are also under investigation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/world/asia/30china.html?th&emc=th
According to this article many Chinese people are also injured and killed every year because of these "toxic substitutions".
This will get rid of an individual who overlooked these offenses for many years. The question now is whether the individual who replaced him is also guilty of these same offenses and, if not, whether he can make any meaningful changes to a corrupt and deadly system.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
30 May 07
I suspect the current individual of being guilty of the same offenses. There is so much corruption in the Chinese government that any individual could probably be prosecuted for something. The deciding factor of who gets sent to jail/executed is probably entirely political.
In other words, cut your boss in on the bribes and stay away from issues that will provoke public outrage demanding someone's head.
As a politician anywhere in the world, these are probably the keys to wealth and power.
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
31 May 07
Yes, you are right. I can see you've thought this one through a little better than myself.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
31 May 07
Sometimes when you feel very strongly about a topic, it is hard to take a "step back" and be objective.
But, I have found that the world doesn't not do what I think they should, especially as fast as I think they should. And, I can USUALLY take that step and be objective.
Like I said this is a start, especially since they have permitted the information to leave the country so publicly. The Chinese do not like to let anyone (inside or outside of China) to hear about things that make China look bad in anyway. For a high level official to charged and found guilty and for it to be publicly announced is a change for Chinese policy.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
31 May 07
Let's hope his replacement shows a lot more integrity than his predecessor. It seems in every country in the world money is more valuable that lives whether it be animal or human.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
31 May 07
Well, his replacement took office in 2005 and it was in 2007 that we had the problems with their exports.
So, I don't know if that was becasue of "lack of integrity" or lack of money and laws to permit him to properly police their companies.
