Beware of the distorted argument that 'anti-corruption hinders economic development'

"The more we fight corruption, the stronger our Party will be"

In recent times, the work of preventing and combating corruption and negativity has made breakthroughs, achieving many important and comprehensive results, creating positive effects that are highly appreciated by cadres, party members and the people. The documents of the 13th National Congress of the Party clearly state:“The fight against corruption has been led, directed and implemented resolutely, comprehensively and in-depth, with very high political determination, without any forbidden areas or exceptions, and has achieved many important and clear results, which have been agreed upon, supported, highly appreciated by cadres, party members and people, and recognized internationally.”

According to Transparency International, Vietnam's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in 2021 ranked 87/180, up 46 places compared to 2012, which was also the year Vietnam had the highest CPI in 10 years (2012-2021).

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong chaired a meeting of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption and anti-negativity on November 18, 2022. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA

Assessment of anti-corruption tasks, at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption and negativity on November 18, 2022, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Head of the Steering Committee, emphasized:“The more we promote the fight against corruption and negativity, the stronger our Party becomes, the more it consolidates and strengthens the people's trust in the Party, the State and the regime, making the apparatus clean, tightening discipline and order, making an important contribution to promoting socio-economic development, maintaining political stability, strengthening national defense, security and foreign affairs, and at the same time, rejecting the false arguments of bad, hostile and opposing forces that the fight against corruption and handling of erring cadres and Party members is "internal fighting", "factionalism", "discouraging" others.”

Obviously, with the correct and wise leadership in the fight against corruption of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the participation of the entire political system, including the support of the people, this fight has had positive and clear changes and brought about important results. Thanks to that, in 2022, Vietnam's GDP increased by more than 8% - the highest level in the past 12 years. The macro economy is stable, inflation is under control, major balances are ensured. The improved investment and business environment contributes positively to the recovery and socio-economic development, creating trust and support from the people and the business community. State budget revenue in 2022 increased by 13.8% over the previous year. State budget expenditure is estimated to increase by 8.1% compared to 2021, ensuring the needs of socio-economic development, national defense, security, State management, payment of debts due, support for people facing difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restoration of production in areas damaged by natural disasters and epidemics. Periodic social security work and sustainable poverty reduction work continue to receive attention and direction, localities have implemented many synchronous solutions to care for poor households. Households' lives have improved.

Despite domestic and international fluctuations, Vietnam's economy recovered with a GDP growth rate of 8.02%, the highest in 12 years. Graphics: VnExpress

The argument of "turning black into white"

The Party and People's fight against corruption and negativity is creating a strong driving force for socio-economic development; however, hostile forces, reactionary organizations, and political opportunists are deliberately distorting and trying to sabotage it. They constantly spread the argument that "fighting corruption hinders economic development". RFA has published many articles on its website, fabricating that "the widespread fight against corruption by the Communist Party of Vietnam is paralyzing many economic transactions, possibly affecting foreign direct investment and reducing exports". The articles speculate that fighting corruption is seen as positive in the long term, but in the short term it can paralyze business activities, especially "if law enforcement is considered unclear and politically motivated"...

Meanwhile, VOA Vietnamese claimed that Vietnam's anti-corruption campaign has paralyzed the investment supply chain; that the anti-corruption campaign in Vietnam has paralyzed many normal transactions in the country, caused shortages of essential goods and reduced investor confidence in one of Asia's fastest growing economies.

RFA and VOA published many articles with the false argument that Vietnam's anti-corruption campaign negatively affects economic development.

Obviously, the above arguments areblatant distortion, turning black into white in practice in Vietnam. In the world, corruption has a direct impact on the stability and development of all aspects of social life. According to research by Transparency International and the World Bank (WB), every year in the world, about 1,000 billion USD is corrupted in the form of bribery. In Africa alone, about 148 billion USD is lost or wasted due to corruption every year, equivalent to half of the continent's foreign debt. Therefore, countries around the world are making efforts to prevent and fight corruption. The United States and Western Europe emphasize the improvement of institutional building and cross-control of power between the legislative, executive and judicial bodies. The Federal Republic of Germany focuses on building laws on civil servants and public service, and on building ethics among civil servants. In addition to establishing the Anti-Corruption Council under the President, headed by the Prime Minister, Russia is also determined to punish corrupt people with an "iron hand" as President V. Putin once declared: Fighting corruption is a very important task for Russia on the path of development.

Corruption causes huge consequences and harms in the fields of politics, economics, culture and society; causes serious loss of public assets, erodes the State budget to benefit a corrupt individual or group of people. Corruption also threatens social stability and security, violates democratic institutions and values, ethical values, justice... If not promptly prevented, corruption will become an especially serious threat to socio-economic development, threatening the survival of the regime. Therefore, the argument that fighting corruption hinders economic development is a distorted and wrong argument.

Illustration: Document

“Fighting corruption and negativity has become an irreversible trend”

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong - Head of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption and negativity affirmed:"The work of fighting corruption and negativity has become an irreversible trend"; stepping up the fight against corruption and negativity does not discourage, falter, or make cadres and party members afraid of making mistakes, but only discourages those with impure motives who have already committed the crime.“"dipped in ink" and those who do not grasp the Party's policies and guidelines, lack courage, knowledge and experience.

Viewpoint inthe fight against corruption, the negativity of the Party and the State of Vietnam is very clear, corrupt subjects must be held responsible before the law. At the same time, the State creates conditions and encourages all individuals and organizations in society to actively promote production and business activities, attract investment, create a healthy and clean environment in both public investment and private investment environment. Thus, the clear viewpoint is "an upright tree is not afraid of dying standing", if you are clean, not embezzled or corrupt, you do not have to be hesitant in your work. Therefore, it cannot be said that, because of anti-corruption reasons, many individuals are afraid to do it, affecting the investment environment, affecting supply chains in the economy.