China's top anti-corruption authorities have quietly intensified scrutiny on officials with children living overseas, introducing the category of quasi-naked officials. These officials, whose spouses remain in China, face heightened monitoring and must report relevant information promptly. Some have lost promotion opportunities and jobs as a result.
Since early last year, China's top graft-busters have conducted inspections within government bodies and state-owned enterprises to scrutinise the overseas connections of top officials and executives, according to three people familiar with the situation. The latest inspections have broadened to include another category known as quasi-naked officials, as stated by a Communist Party insider who spoke anonymously due to the topic's sensitivity.
“Quasi-naked officials are those whose children are living abroad, but their spouses are still in China. They are now placed under heightened monitoring and have to report relevant information in a timely manner,” the insider said.
A Beijing-based source noted that the Central Organisation Department, the party's top personnel organ, carried out a nationwide survey in the first half of last year to dig into officials’ overseas ties. This step-up is part of President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign aimed at curbing graft and tightening oversight on officials, though specifics remain low-key owing to sensitivity.