When it comes to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, China views itself as the very big and wise elder brother. It offers a lot of free, unsolicited advice.
But it can't hold a stick to those places in terms of good governance, according to the latest annual survey from Transparency International, the Berlin-based group that ranks nations on corruption.
China came in tied at 70th place this year. Hong Kong ranked 15, Macau 26 and Taiwan 34, all perceived as far less corrupt than the mainland.
Among the countries above China in the listings are Bhutan (32), Botswana (37), Malaysia (44), Namibia (55), Bulgaria (57) and Colombia (59).
China can take heart, though, that in 2005 it was tied for 78th place, so it's climbing.
HK, Taiwan, and Macau (and even Singapore) certainly give lie to those who claim corruption in China is a Chinese thing.
Posted by: China Law Blog | November 08, 2006 at 12:33 AM