Methods of ‘carrying the basket’ vary from province to province, but the underlying logic is for local officials to steer projects involving public assets to colluders—people who will pay, are kin, classmates or have other social connections. State procurement contracts, land use rights, access to natural resources, real estate development, qualification and certification, asset management and disposal, investment and financing, as well as scientific research and other major projects—these are all areas where there is often collusion between insiders and outsiders (the former with decision-making power and the latter to provide or collect money, primarily from business interests). Undermining the image of government and the Party, this behaviour creates an unhealthy relationship where policy-making is concerned. New regulations seek to end this rent-seeking by explicitly prohibiting the practice.
anticipate change