Corruption is the real thorn in the flesh. The result is often, increasingly it appears, combustible. The situation is indeed severe. Chinese scholars and government officials regularly point out in informal conversation that corruption levels in their country have surpassed the pre-1949 levels of the Nationalist government, identified by many experts as one of the primary reasons the regime fell to the Communists. In the face of this reality, Beijing realizes the challenge to navigate worker-employment issues will not be easy.
Senior officials have no clear answers.
In the meantime, expect to hear more and more rhetoric from Beijing about anti-corruption, social justice and equality. Wright's primary research interests focus on governance and socio-economic development issues.