The prevalence of corruption and its potential to derail the Chinese economy

Osnos forcefully argues that government and economic corruption is the most significant threat to the future of China. He demonstrates both the immense scale of corruption and its potential to harm the country through various examples.

The first of these examples is the city of Macau, a semi-autonomous island that is renowned for its casinos and opulence. Osnos presents Macau as a symbol of the entire Chinese economy. Much as rich Chinese and foreigners gamble exorbitant sums in the city’s casinos, the country’s economy has seen a massive influx of investment over the past decades. In both cases, the potential risks and rewards are considerable. Similarly, much as newly rich Chinese citizens are eager to display their wealth, gamblers in Macau are obsessed with opulent luxury goods. Simultaneously, Macau demonstrates the corruption endemic to the...