Taipei (AsiaNews) – Taiwan is getting better at fighting corruption.
According to Transparency International's 2021 Corruption Perception Index, published yesterday, the island climbed three places, placing 25 out of 180 countries with 68 points.
On a scale of 0 to 100, lower scores indicate high levels of corruption, whilst 100 marks the top rank in terms of government transparency.
Although rising by three notches as well, mainland China is only in the 66th place with 45 points, along with countries like Romania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Vanuatu.
The world average is 43. In the Asia-Pacific region, it is 45. In the latter, Taiwan is in 6th place, behind New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and Japan.
Globally New Zealand ranks first along with Denmark and Finland (Italy is 42nd).
To improve the fight against corruption, Transparency International has advised Asian countries to involve and better inform ordinary citizens who must be able to meet and express themselves freely, speaking out in cases of corruption without fear of reprisals.
In the case of Taiwan, Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang (pictured) has introduced software made by a US company that promotes public participation in government decision-making.
Every bill put forward by the Taiwanese government is subject to 60 days of public scrutiny, with people able to use the Polis platform to make comments.
According to recent estimates, nearly half of Taiwanese have participated in this kind of online debate. For her contribution, Tang calls herself a “civic hacker”.
