Crime in China

According to the Global Organized Crime Index (2023), China is grappling with deep-seated criminal activities across diverse markets, while its resilience is limited by corruption and the centralized control of governance and information.

[5] The People's Republic of China (PRC was established in 1949 and, from 1949 to 1956, underwent the process of transferring the means of production to common ownership.

[8] The majority of economic crimes were committed by business people who engaged in tax evasion, theft of public property, and bribery.

[8] Government officials also engaged in illegal economic activity, which included improperly taking public property and accepting bribes.

[12] Since the second plenary session of the eleventh Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, crime has increased and diversified.

[21][22] Women are lured through false promises of legitimate employment into commercial sexual exploitation in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Japan.

[20] Women and children are trafficked into PRC from Mongolia, Burma, North Korea, Russia, and Vietnam for forced labor and sexual slavery.

These distressing occurrences persist despite legal measures against domestic violence, primarily due to the deeply entrenched patriarchal norms ingrained within Chinese society.

[3] Illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and mining are critical issues, driven by demand for rare resources like timber and minerals.

[3] Financial fraud, money laundering, and cybercrime are significant and growing concerns, with criminal organizations adopting sophisticated digital tools to evade detection.

While mafia-style groups are relatively small and non-violent in mainland China, corruption within state structures further enables organized crime.

[3] Despite a relatively strong law enforcement framework, China’s efforts to combat organized crime are undermined by corruption, lack of judicial independence, and human rights abuses.

While the state has shown resolve in addressing crime, its anti-corruption campaigns are seen as politically motivated, and civil society remains restricted.