John Pomfret on

high-ranking Chinese leaders whose positions are linked to potential conflicts of interest because of the business dealings of their families and friends. The question...is whether the government will continue to protect vested business interests as a new generation of leaders comes to power. Government officials say the health and resilience of the Chinese political and economic system are at stake.

One of the examples he gives is a highway bypass in Fushun built by China Huaneng Group, linked to Li Peng's son. Pomfret identifies the elder Li "as one of the prime architects of the crackdown on student-led protests around Tiananmen Square in 1989", and further notes that the demonstrations "revolved around the finances of the family members of high-ranking party officials." But as a matter of fact, even though China is awfully corrupt, some people are in favor of tolls as a way to build roads. I hope this experience doesn't sour everyone on the experience.