China takes on bribery and corruption

Eric Carlson is quoted in Commercial Dispute Resolution regarding China’s actions to take on bribery and corruption. Mr. Carlson says that alongside targeting corrupt government officials, China is increasingly targeting the bribe-givers as well. Additionally, he says that while agencies such as the NSC do not have enforcement jurisdiction over private companies or non-government-affiliated individuals, and therefore will not have a direct impact on multinational companies, “enforcement against government-affiliated individuals will very likely have an indirect impact on private companies.”

“While the gift-giving culture has moderated somewhat in recent years due to the government anti-corruption campaign, traditionally reciprocity has played a key role in business relationships. Sensitivity to what would be clearly viewed as a conflict of interest in other jurisdictions may not always be perceived as a significant issue in China,” he notes.