Cambodia sees graft campaign as a ‘role model’

CHINA’S ongoing anti-corruption drive has become a “role model” for other countries, Cambodia’s top graft-buster said.

The campaign has also boosted the global confidence in China’s development, said Om Yentieng, chairman of Cambodia’s Anti-Corruption Unit.

The effectiveness can be attributed to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s zero tolerance against corruption and the Chinese people’s strong support, Yentieng said ahead of the ongoing “two sessions” — the annual sessions of China’s top legislative and political advisory bodies.

“With President Xi’s unwavering political commitment, it seems that the culture of zero tolerance against corruption has become ingrained in the psyche of the Chinese people,” he said.

“This is a role model for other countries, including Cambodia.”

The official said he is impressed by China’s stern anti-corruption policy and practice, which have enabled the authorities to execute their duties properly in accordance with law.

Cambodia, he added, has always learned “best practices” from China in fighting corruption, sending dozens of its officials to China for training every year.

Commenting on China’s establishment of supervisory commissions at the national, provincial, city and county levels to enhance anti-graft bodies, he said it is a good and effective mechanism which “will make people not dare to commit corruption.”

China’s anti-corruption efforts have also bolstered the confidence of foreign investors, added the Cambodian official, speaking highly of China’s “good governance.”

Not only Cambodia but also other countries, including some Western countries, admire and learn from China in terms of good governance, he noted.

“I see that China has good and effective governance,” he said. “If China’s governance was not good, China would not have achieved robust growth from one year to another.”