英闻天下——30 Weibo Anti-corruption Thrives in China

 　　The name "uncle watch" is one of the highlights of weibo anti-corruption¹ this year.

 

　　"Uncle watch", Yang Dacai, a work safety official in Shaanxi, who was sacked in September after Internet users posted photos of him wearing luxury timepieces that he couldn't afford on his salary.

 

　　In October, Cai Bin², an urban management official in Guangdong was dismissed from his post after it was revealed online that he owned 22 houses.

 

　　In November, Lei Zhengfu, a district head in Chongqing, was sacked just 63 hours after a video featuring him having sex with a woman was leaked on the Internet.

 

　　In recent years, exposing corruption online has quickly gained momentum³ here in China, particularly after the 18th National Congress of the CPC in November. Over the course of this past month, at least 10 government officials have been removed from their posts due to corruption or misconduct.

 

　　Most of them were exposed by Weibo users, who found clues which led to broader investigations⁵.

 

　　An Internet user, calling himself Mr. Zhou, has collected photos of the mayor of his city wearing different luxury watches.

 

　　"I somehow found that our mayor was always wearing expensive watches. So I reported him in my real name. I still believe, believe that it is a society governed by law."

 

　　In the late 90's, government websites here in China became publically-accessible at all levels. By the end of 2010, nearly 70-thousand government portals had been launched, and over 12-thousand governmental Sina Webo accounts had been set up as of September of last year.

 

　　So far, there have been over 800 anti-corruption Weibo accounts. Millions of posts have since been forwarded on those accounts.

 

　　Insiders say internet and social networking services like Weibo, which is essentially⁶ China's Twitter, have broadened the channels for people to voice their opinion on public issues.

 

　　Professor Mao Shoulong with the School of Public Administration at Renmin University says traditional anti-corruption reporting is changing.

 

　　"There used to be various offence reporting letters, which would first go through a sieve⁷ in the discipline inspection⁸ commission. However the commission's resources are limited. They will not easily take action unless the informer reveals his/her real name. Doing this is risky⁹ because of the fear of reprisals¹⁰."

 

　　Though using the internet can shape public opinion without the fear of revenge, Mao Shoulong adds there are weaknesses in the new system.

 

　　"From the perspective of judicial¹¹ procedures, there are still problems in Weibo anti-corruption. For example, neglecting legal procedures might bring unexpected pain to the persons involved."

 

　　In one case, an Internet posting revealed that Li Yunqing, a retired¹² senior engineer in Guangzhou, owned 24 houses and was suspected of corruption. However, an investigation⁴ later discovered that Li, who is neither official nor party member, owned the houses with her son through hard work and investment.

 

　　Since its easily possible for someone on the internet to violate the privacy of others, it's being suggested legislation should be put in place to make "Weibo Anti-corruption" more accountable.

 

　　For CRI, I'm Cao Yuwei.

1 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

2 bin   

n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件

参考例句：

• He emptied several bags of rice into a bin.他把几袋米倒进大箱里。
• He threw the empty bottles in the bin.他把空瓶子扔进垃圾箱。

3 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

4 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

5 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

6 essentially   

adv.本质上，实质上，基本上

参考例句：

• Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
• She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。

7 sieve   

n.筛，滤器，漏勺

参考例句：

• We often shake flour through a sieve.我们经常用筛子筛面粉。
• Finally,it is like drawing water with a sieve.到头来，竹篮打水一场空。

8 inspection   

n.检查，审查，检阅

参考例句：

• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
• The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。

9 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

10 reprisals   

n.报复（行为）( reprisal的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They did not want to give evidence for fear of reprisals. 他们因为害怕报复而不想作证。
• They took bloody reprisals against the leaders. 他们对领导进行了血腥的报复。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 judicial   

adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的

参考例句：

• He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。
• Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。

12 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。