The more centralized the power, the easier corruption becomes. Hu Zhicheng, a Chinese-born American scientist who returned to China to bring some entrepreneurship to the Communist world superpower, discovered the dark side of that.
Chinese companies cultivate influence with local officials and use law enforcement and a malleable legal system as competitive weapons and, because a business civil claim in the US is a criminal one in China, competitors can make sure you never get back home if you try to compete there.
There are other cases like Hu's, the US embassy said, without specifying how many. Obviously quiet lobbying has not worked so maybe some international attention will.
US scientist trapped in China By CHARLES HUTZLER Associated Press
