Red-Envelope Cash: Journalists on the Take in Contemporary China

ABSTRACT

This project examines the practice of taking red-envelope cash in contemporary Chinese journalism, which involves journalists accepting cash wrapped in an envelope that is provided by sources or other social agents. On the basis of focus group interviews, in-depth interviews, and personal communication, this project brings journalists’ perceptions on this practice to the fore. Journalists predominantly attribute the practice to Chinese cultural factors, especially the Chinese emphasis on guanxi. However, this research argues that culture alone is an insufficient explanation. This project incorporates sociological studies of “informal relationships” to enrich our understanding of the practice.

Acknowledgement

The author thanks Professor Philip Schlesinger and Professor Raymond Boyle for critical comments on the earlier draft of this essay.

Notes

1. The Cultural Revolution lasted from 1966 to 1976. It was originally a political campaign initiated by Mao in the name of removing capitalists from the communist party. Mao brought up the idea that the key issue was the class struggle between the proletariat class and the capitalist class. Yet it developed into national turmoil which paralyzed the country in many ways.

2. The United Front Work Department is under the direct supervision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and is in charge of managing nonparty and minor political party relationships. The department is also involved with issues relating to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao.

3. Renqing can literarily be translated as “human feelings.” In this project, renqing is mainly used in the sense of certain kinds of resources that mediate social exchange (Hwang,1987).