The Dark Side of Prosperity: China's Corruption Conundrum The "resource curse" phenomenon, where countries rich in natural resources struggle with corruption and mismanagement, is well documented among economists and policymakers.
Recent trends in China suggest this pattern may be playing out on a regional scale, with areas endowed with mineral wealth being disproportionately targeted by Beijing's anti corruption campaign.
Research by the South China Morning Post reveals that provinces such as Jiangxi, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and Hebei – all significant mineral producers – have been among those hardest hit in Xi Jinping's decade long corruption crackdown.