Navigating Change: The Historical Development of Anti-Corruption Laws in China

• In Event: Historical Perspectives on Crime, Culture, and Ethnicity

Abstract

China's anti-corruption framework has evolved significantly over the past seven decades, incorporating strategic legislative reforms and institutional consolidations to combat corruption effectively. This study reviews the trajectory from the initial 1952 Regulations on Punishing Embezzlement to the 2018 Supervision Law, highlighting key legislative milestones like the 1979 and 1997 Criminal Laws that segregated corruption-related offenses. It examines the centralization of enforcement powers under the National Supervision Commission, aligning with international standards such as the UN Convention Against Corruption. The paper discusses the challenges in balancing supervisory authority and protecting human rights, emphasizing the need for improvements to uphold the rule-of-law and ensure effective governance.

Authors

• Guoliang Bond Zhang, University of Toronto

• Hongming Cheng, University of Saskatchewan