It seems that China is not reluctant to use the death penalty:

“BEIJING - China executed the former head of its food and drug watchdog on Tuesday for approving untested medicine in exchange for cash, the strongest signal yet from Beijing that it is serious about tackling its product safety crisis.”

link: China executes ex-food and drug chief

China realizes that it is in the international spotlight, in terms of product safety. There was the contamination of pet food, toothpaste, sea food products, medicines and other products. Not only are the consequences financial but China ‘loses face’ in the international community.

These consequences may seem somewhat draconian. Nevertheless, it delivers an undisputable message to government and business officials. One can only speculate on how productivity and profitability would increase, if western governments and businesses incorporated some similar stringent consequences to corruption.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]china, death penalty, corruption, product safety, consequences[/tags]