The Harmonious Society of Government Officials

This explains why government officials drive BMWs and shop at Chanel. Year end bonuses were a tad higher than usual.

Land authorities in six Chinese cities including Beijing have illegally charged 1.1 billion yuan (US$146.7 million) on enterprises so far this year, adding fuel to the nation's soaring housing prices.

This was discovered by the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top planning body, during examinations of charges on businesses in Beijing, Shijiazhuang, Jinan, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xi'an, the Beijing News said Saturday.

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Land authorities are not alone in overcharging enterprises. The commission found in May that urban construction departments have overcharged 216 million yuan (US$28.8 million) from construction firms.