New study reveals corruption pattern (2)

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Tian's findings show that corruption is climbing the ladder of power. Many of the officials exposed in recent years occupied high-level posts, while the sums involved in bribery cases have grown ever greater.

High-level officials today are also more likely than their 1980s counterparts to be involved in "collaboration" scams, where officials cooperate for mutual benefit.

The research, conducted over a two-year period, also shows that more than 63 percent of the officials were promoted despite having previously accepted bribes. The authorities were either unaware of the crimes or in some cases chose to turn a blind eye to them.

Justice was usually slow to catch up with these officials, as many committed their first crimes a decade or two ago but have only recently been exposed, according to Tian.

Unsurprisingly, most corrupt officials come from the country's better-developed regions and cities rather than poorer areas, and most operated in the financial sector, the rail network and the safety watchdogs.

"In other words, those in charge of huge amounts of public resources are more likely to be corrupt," said Tian.

Tian spoke to China Daily on Tuesday. He shared the findings of his research, and discussed the trends, motivations and character traits of corrupt officials. He also suggested a number of ways of preventing graft at all levels.

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