A nuisance called superstition

Some officials, however, have betrayed the Party's principles by seeking and executing the advice of clairvoyants, fortunetellers and "qigong masters". Worse, they have done so out of greed - to gain promotions, exercise more power and make more money. In particular, corrupt officials have sought the help of so-called masters to save their skin and keep on making money the illegal way.

Corrupt officials know the punishment awaiting them if they are caught. So to evade exposure, they seek the advice of fortunetellers and "qigong masters". Instead of changing their ways and giving up their ill-gotten wealth, these officials seek shelter in "qigong" and mysticism.

Such officials believe fortunetellers and "qigong masters" can seek divine protection for them. Conversely, fortunetellers and "qigong masters" need the protection of officials to ply their trade in falsity and deceit to continue making money. It's a perfect example of "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours".

The nexus between some corrupt officials and fortunetellers and "qigong masters" has increased corruption, causing more harm to society. Besides, fortunetellers and "qigong masters" use their association with officials, entrepreneurs and celebrities to attract other people to make more money. As a result, a vicious circle is formed: fortunetellers use their social connections to concoct more falsehoods, and the more "fairytales" they tell, the more people they attract.

Some of these so-called masters become so powerful that they can influence many public projects. Wang may be a crook, but his crime is less serious than those of some Party officials who used him (and people like him) to further their career (both legal and illegal) to make more money.

After Wang was exposed, several photographs were found in his house revealing his association with some very high-ranking officials, such as former railway minister Liu Zhijun, who profess their loyalty to the Party in public but continue with their dirty work behind the scene. Such people need to be exposed and punished for their actions.

The author is a scholar on religions studies with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.