Corruption and governance in Asia

'Frank-Jürgen Richter and John Kidd have rendered a valuable service to management, majority and minority shareholders, other corporate stakeholders and to their respective advisors, in producing Corporate Governance in Asia. It serves well those who are eager to gain a deeper understanding of the current level of development of governance in Asian countries and what can be done to improve it.' - Joseph W. Ferrigno, III, President & Chief Executive, Prudential Asia Infrastructure Investors (HK) Limited

'For Asia to create the much needed capital market that is active, dynamic, and transparent, there must be a fair and level playing field for all participants. Corporate governance is the pre-requisite before such field can be established'. - Philip Liang, Managing Director, Priasia Limited, Taiwan

'This book highlights the needs of managers to understand corporate governance in all firms and institutions - not just in the major western firms. In Asia, a rather special region in many ways, our methods of working might be seen to be at odds with the rest of the world. We have our historical reasons, which the book clearly shows. It also illustrates that without being transparent and open our sometimes-secretive society cannot join fully the developed world. The book creates a good platform for learning'. - Chang Yung-fa, Chairman, Evergreen Group, Taiwan

'This book covers most of the central issues that are facing governments and corporations in Asia. And clearly, as seen through the unfolding of recent events, these issues affect every firm and institution globally as they re-assess their ethics and governance structures. Thus the good common sense described by the authors, as they details the facts and solutions in their expert field, might act as a good base for future negotiations at the WTO. We must learn to understand the others in order to progress'. - Sun Qiang Chang, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus, Hong Kong SAR

'This book highlights aspects of corporate governance that just will not lie down and be hidden. It emphasises the results of historical weak governance and the results thereof. Admittedly some of the 'blame' - f that's what we may say - lies in the historic teachings of Confucius, but that might be a too-easy scapegoat. In the recent past firms have become globalised, and there was, even then, a clear need to be transparent and not hide corporate activities from global partners under the guise of local rites and mysteries'. - Hasung Jang, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Republic of Korea

'Good corporate governance laws are an essential ingredient of developing Asia's economies. This book makes an important contribution to the debate on corporate governance in Asia.' - Terence J. Paradine, Chairman Asia Pacific, Marsh & McLennan