by Chen Weijun

Even though China's central government is responsible for a policy of repression and human rights abuses against dissidents, the wave of online complaints about corruption and nepotism is forcing the authorities to recognise that democracy helps the government "correct mistakes." The arrest for embezzlement of Liu Tienan, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, is such an example of cyber justice.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - The arrest of Liu Tienan, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) following online complaints appears to have shaken China's Chinese leadership to the core. The anti-corruption crusade launched by Hu Jintao and his successor, Xi Jinping have not had the expected results compared to the system of social control made possible by new technologies.

Even the Global Times, the international edition of the People's Daily, has had to admit it. In an editorial published yesterday, it wrote, "This case further consolidates Chinese society's beliefs that as long as corruption and scandals are real and exposed, suspects are unlikely to escape punishment. Justice exists in Chinese society because of increasingly powerful public opinion and the ability of institutions to correct errors."

Although the newspaper did not question the Communist Party-dominated one-party state, it did say that "This is the true meaning of democracy and the rule of law which are developing in China," which is a clear reference to the traditional claim Chinese leaders make about "Chinese-style democracy" whenever they are faced with criticism by the international community over the country's human rights record.

Tienan Liu, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, held a rank equal to that of a deputy minister. His fall began when complaints appear online that he was involved in corruption.

Today, Xinhua said the decision to fire him "was made because of Liu's suspected involvement in serious disciplinary violations", a euphemism for corruption in China.

Luo Changping, a journalist with Caijing magazine, accused him of using his position to enrich family members. The allegations were ignored until they started to appear on the internet, especially on Weibo, a popular microblogging site, in such a persistent manner as to force the authorities to act.

The same treatment touched at least four other young Chinese politicians, offspring of high-ranking officials who were quickly promoted to the highest levels of government, and then removed from office after the net cast doubt on their abilities.

• china
• internet
• justice
• corruption
• arrests