Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

SHENZHEN will begin piloting its anti-bribery management system in July at a number of enterprises in order to instill an anti-bribery culture and implement appropriate controls to increase the probability of detecting bribery and reduce the rate of incidents overall.

The 15-page anti-bribery management system, which was drafted last June and revised after opinions from enterprises and society were considered, provides guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an anti-bribery management system, which can be independent of, or integrated with, an overall management system.

“The system, the first of its kind in China, meets the internal requirements for the development of enterprises as well as the external requirements for expanding into the international market,” said Meng Zhaowen, deputy chief with the city’s Party disciplinary inspection commission, at a news conference Friday, adding that it would be put into practice at around 60 firms and social organizations, including Vanke, ZTE and CIMC.

Those enterprises that participate in the pilot program and pass accreditation will receive incentives and preferential policies regarding procurement, bid tendering and invitation.

The system, which was crafted in accordance with ISO 37001, is a standard for an enterprise implementing anti-bribery management or enhancing existing controls. It requires the implementation of a series of measures such as the adoption of an anti-bribery policy and the appointment of someone to oversee compliance with that policy, the vetting and training of employees, the undertaking of risk assessments on projects and business associates, the implementation of financial and commercial controls and the institution of reporting and investigation procedures.

“Implementing the rule helps reduce the risk of bribery occurring and can demonstrate to your employees, customers, contractors, suppliers, joint venture partners and other business associates that you have put in place standardized anti-bribery controls. The standard will be helpful for local enterprises participating in international business operations and government agencies enhancing international anti-graft cooperation,” said Guo Yong, an associate professor with the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, in an interview.

CIMC is the first Shenzhen company to begin complying with ISO 37001 and the Shenzhen anti-bribery system. Liu Zhenhuan, chief of the company’s Party disciplinary inspection commission, said the implementation of the management system had helped the company effectively control external risks, reduce costs and the occurrences of bribery by citing its two recent business mergers, one in U.S. and the other in Germany.

“Through our standard enterprise operation mechanisms, we have brought the two companies back to life,” said Liu.

At the forum following the news conference Friday, Zhang Zixing, chief of Shenzhen Party Disciplinary Inspection Commission, said the anti-graft management system was an exploration in deepening the anti-graft drive based on international standards and practices.