In response to the public outcry for tightened corruption control, legislators must raise the term of imprisonment. In my opinion, this is only the second-best option. The fundamental solution is to set up a property declaration system.

Wang Wei (Yanzhao Metropolis Daily): The debate on punishment for the crime of unidentified property has been ongoing for 20 years. While they do not need to declare their property, officials can claim to hold unidentified property to escape the more severe punishment for bribery.

While China has no property declaration system, all officials with large volumes of property with unidentified sources should be punished in the name of bribery. However, if the unidentified property crime still exists, even if the punishment is increased, the severity of punishment is still less than that for bribery. It will remain a loophole.

Tong Dahuan (Oriental Morning Post): Charging officials holding large amounts of property with unidentified sources is an attempt to crack down on corruption, but in real practice, it is playing an unexpected role of covering up possible power-for-money deals. Once the suspicious property is defined as having unidentified sources, no further investigation is required.

Besides, such an accusation gives too much freedom to the judicial authority in dealing with corrupt cases and seriously undermines the credibility of the judiciary.

The charge of possessing big volumes of unaccounted for property helps to quickly punish corrupt officials but it does not help the long-term prevention of corruption. It's better to scrap this crime.

Get tough

Meng Qinghua (Procuratorial Daily): When it is found that an official's property excessively exceeds his/her legal income, and it is proved that the property is a result of corruption, bribery or embezzlement of public funds, the official will be directly accused of bribery or relevant crimes. However, if it can't be proved, the charge of holding unidentified property can be used. This will help to intensify the anti-corruption fight.

This course of action will provide the judiciary with the basis to deal with corruption cases when there is insufficient proof that a crime has been committed. This process should be promoted and not abolished.

Zhang Ruizhuo (Ningbo Daily): The significance of raising the maximum imprisonment term for the unidentified property crime lies in two aspects.