The Archilles Heel that Hobbles the Asian Giant - The Legal and Cultural Impediments to Antibribery Initiatives in China

In conjunction with the considerable investment and trade opportunities that have been generated in China’s booming economy, significant challenges associated with the unique Chinese socio-cultural and ethical environment are increasingly apparent. Raising doubt over whether existing studies take adequate account of a major social threat in the Chinese socio-cultural setting – namely, the endemic level of bribery – this paper seeks to correct the imbalance. By investigating various elements that shape the ubiquitous nature of bribery in China, the paper looks at the interconnections between unique socio-cultural elements and the resultant complexities of China’s legal anti-bribery practices, and argues the necessity of a multifaceted approach to combat the practice