If we really want to deter government corruption…

should we consider following China’s lead, as reported here by Reuters:

China on Wednesday hailed the swift execution of the nation’s former drug safety chief as a warning to corrupt officials while detailing a web of graft that thrived for years without punishment. Zheng Xiaoyu, former head of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), dominated television and print news a day after he was executed for taking some 6.5 million yuan ($850,000) in bribes to let medicine companies slip past his regulatory net.

The People’s Daily, voice of the ruling Communist Party, said the punishment was intended to deter other wayward officials.  “Corrupt elements will be thoroughly investigated no matter who they are, how high their post, or how deep they hide, and there can be no appeasement or softness,” the newspaper said.

Notably, the Chinese legal system certainly made sure Zheng’s sentence was not only severe, but also swift: Zheng “was sentenced on May 29 and his appeal was heard last month” and the execution was carried out this week.